Marilyn Klingbeil is a retired community college teacher who currently volunteers with a master gardeners’ program offered through Oregon State University. She’s also a Free Press Action Fund member who is passionate about Net Neutrality.

How did you first get involved with Free Press?

I was very active in the Obama presidential campaign and tried to get our local radio company to broadcast a progressive program. They own virtually all of the radio stations here and all we get in our county is Rush Limbaugh and Lars Larson. I felt it was very important for listeners to get another point of view. I suggested that they broadcast Air America for two hours a day. They wouldn’t. They said it wouldn’t be profitable. The only access my county gets to different opinions is from the Internet. So, to me, the Internet is very important and Net Neutrality is critical. Free Press is fighting for that and I have done what I can to support it.

What media issues do you care about most?

What concerns me the most is the biased “news” coming from cable. It has become a monster that keeps our country polarized.

How are you or people that you know affected by media policy issues?

I don’t think the media has a policy other than to keep their viewer numbers up so they can sell advertising. Journalism is alive but it doesn’t sell.

What do you hope to see change in our media?

I hope to see Fox News numbers go down. When that starts happening I will believe that the American people are just plain tired of being manipulated and frightened.

We are grateful for your ongoing support; why do contribute?

I believe that Free Press works very hard to keep the Internet free. I love you people. I wish I could give more.

In one sentence, share with us why Net Neutrality is so important to you.

Net Neutrality is all that keeps information flowing and out of the hands of self-serving corporations.