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Press Releases

If you are a member of the media and have inquiries, interview requests, or would like to join our press list, please contact Jenn Ettinger at 202-265-1490, ext. 35, or email her at jettinger@freepress.net.

Recent press releases are below. Learn more about our spokespeople here, and download our media kit here.

  • FCC Chairman Genachowski to Step Down

    March 21, 2013
    WASHINGTON -- The Wall Street Journal reports that Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski will announce on Friday that he will step down from his position as head of the agency. Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron made the following statement: "When Julius Genachowski took office, there were high hopes that he would use his powerful position to promote the public interest. But instead of acting as the people's champion, he’s catered to corporate interests."

  • Free Press Welcomes Delay in FCC Media Ownership Vote

    February 26, 2013
    WASHINGTON -- On Tuesday, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski issued a statement supporting a delay in a controversial vote to loosen limits on how much media one company can own in a single market. The chairman reportedly agreed to the delay pending the results of a study proposed by the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council — a group that has previously endorsed ending the longstanding ban on newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership.

  • Free Press: FCC Data Shows Abysmally Low Levels of Ownership for Women and Communities of Color

    December 26, 2012

    WASHINGTON -- On Wednesday, Free Press submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission in response to the agency's recent report on the ownership of commercial broadcast stations.

  • Extra! Extra! 200,000 Activists Tell FCC: No More Media for Murdoch

    December 12, 2012

    WASHINGTON — Activists gathered Wednesday outside the Federal Communications Commission to spread the news about growing opposition to the FCC's plans to gut media ownership rules. They handed out broadsheet special editions of the Free Press to passersby, highlighting opposition to greater media consolidation from the courts, Congress, civil rights leaders and President Barack Obama.

  • Congressional Opposition Growing to FCC Media Ownership Proposal

    December 10, 2012

    WASHINGTON – On Monday, Rep. John Lewis, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Rep. Charles Gonzalez and Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Reps. Keith Ellison and  Raul Grijalva sent a letter signed by 44 House members to the Federal Communications Commission. The letter addresses concerns about how the FCC’s proposal to relax its media ownership rules will impact diversity.

  • Free Press Slams FCC for Lack of Transparency, Continued Failure to Follow Court's Directive

    December 4, 2012

    WASHINGTON –- On Monday, attempting to respond to a growing chorus of critics, the Federal Communications Commission issued a statement claiming it has conducted its media ownership review transparently. The FCC also gave the public 30 days to comment on recently released summary data about female and minority ownership. However, the Commission still has not made public its actual media ownership order, conducted proper analysis of the impact of proposed rule changes on ownership diversity, or scheduled any public hearings on the issue.

  • Senators Blast FCC Attempt to Gut Media Ownership Rules

    November 30, 2012

    WASHINGTON -- On Friday, Sens. Bernie Sanders, Patrick Leahy, Tom Harkin, Barbara Boxer, Patty Murray, Ron Wyden, Jon Tester, Al Franken and Jeff Merkley sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski about his proposal to weaken longstanding media ownership rules. Their letter comes on the heels of Thursday’s scathing letter from Sen. Maria Cantwell.

  • Civil Rights and Union Leaders Urge FCC to Halt Changes to Media Ownership Rules, Study Impact on Diversity

    November 28, 2012

    WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, civil rights organizations, unions and public interest groups held a press teleconference to urge the Federal Communications Commission to stop its rush to lift longstanding media ownership limits. The groups called on the FCC to delay any action on media ownership rules until it first analyzes the impact of proposed changes on women and people of color.

  • Free Press Blasts FCC for Plan to Gut Ownership Rules Without Public Input or Transparency

    November 19, 2012

    WASHINGTON -- On Monday, Free Press slammed the Federal Communications Commission’s proposal to further weaken media ownership rules. The FCC has kept most details under wraps, but reports indicate the plan would allow cross-ownership of newspaper and TV stations in the 20 largest broadcast markets. Other rule changes would allow for greater radio consolidation.

    The FCC is also reportedly attempting to avoid holding a vote on the matter at an open FCC meeting, and the agency has not held any public hearings on the proposed rule changes.

  • Long-Overdue FCC Report Shows Abysmal Levels of Female and Minority Broadcast Ownership

    November 14, 2012

    WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, the Federal Communications Commission released an assessment of female and minority ownership of commercial broadcast radio and television stations. This is the first full census the FCC has completed.

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