S. Derek Turner, Research Director
S. Derek Turner heads our policy team in Washington, which is dedicated to monitoring and analyzing media policymaking to increase public awareness and participation. Derek has written extensively on a wide range of media and technology issues, and regularly testifies before Congress and the FCC.
His reports have examined the state of broadband competition in America, the role of the Universal Service Fund in the 21st century, and the lack of female and minority media ownership. His landmark studies include: Down Payment on Our Digital Future: Stimulus Policies for the 21st-Century Economy; Shooting the Messenger: Myth vs. Reality in U.S. Broadband Policy; Broadband Reality Check II; Off the Dial; and Out of the Picture. Derek’s research has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, as well as many regional papers and television and radio programs. Before becoming research director, Derek was a Free Press research fellow. He holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Goldman School at the University of California, Berkeley.
Recent press statements
Free Press Statement on Court Decision to Stay AT&T/T-Mobile Case
WASHINGTON – On Monday, AT&T and the Department of Justice jointly requested to stay further court proceedings on the AT&T-T-Mobile merger, which was granted by the court.
Free Press Research Director S. Derek Turner made the following statement:
Free Press: AT&T’s Whining Doesn’t Change the Facts
On Thursday, AT&T responded to the Federal Communications Commission’s staff report on the proposed T-Mobile takeover, calling the report unfair and one-sided.
Free Press Slams Sprint Decisions to Cap Tethering, Raise Early Termination Fees
WASHINGTON -- On Thursday, Free Press responded to reports that Sprint, the nation’s third-largest wireless carrier, would begin capping its “tethering” plans which allow subscribers to use their phones as mobile hotspots. The plans come with a 5 gigabyte data limit, and a new $0.05 charge per megabyte over the cap — which adds up to $50 per extra gigabyte.
In the news
AT&T Fires Back at FCC over Report
Kim Hart,
Politico
AT&T fired back at the FCC, calling the staff report outlining objections to the AT&T/T-Mobile deal an "advocacy piece" that is "so obviously one-sided" that it did not give the deal a fair shake.
Democrats Call for Obama to Approve T-Mobile Acquisition
Nick Eaton,
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
A group of 16 House Democrats is calling for President Obama to direct the Department of Justice to approve AT&T's proposed acquisition of Bellevue-based T-Mobile USA. To any objective eyes, Shuler's letter plainly echoes AT&T's major talking points, including the job-creation study and a pledge to deliver 4G wireless service to 97 percent of Americans. In response, consumer group Free Press wrote that 10 of the 16 Democrats have collectively received more than $445,000 in campaign contributions from AT&T.
Wireless Data Plans Put Spotlight on FCC Billing Protection
Cecilia Kang,
Washington Post
As wireless companies introduce new, and sometimes confusing, service plans, expect pressure on the FCC to better protect consumers from false and misleading billing practices, analysts say.
