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WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, Free Press and a coalition of media-rights groups petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to stay its ruling reinstating an obsolete television-ownership rule.

The News Voices project, which existed in New Jersey for two years before launching last month in Charlotte and Durham, aims to connect journalists with residents of Charlotte’s more marginalized communities and populations and help them build more in-depth relationships with the people they report on.

Proponents of Net Neutrality are skeptical of the FCC’s claim that multiple cyberattacks brought down the FCC website instead of a flood of comments stemming from comedian John Oliver’s latest segment on Net Neutrality.

Two recent events kicked off News Voices: North Carolina, a new initiative from the advocacy group Free Press, which is aiming to foster collaborations and strengthen the bonds between journalists and the communities they cover.

Sinclair Broadcast Group’s deal for Tribune Media would give a broadcaster known for its conservative leanings fresh reach into leading media markets including New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago.

The Voices for Internet Freedom coalition will hold a community forum on May 10 in Los Angeles with FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn.

FCC head Ajit Pai has outlined a sweeping plan to dismantle Net Neutrality rules, which keep the internet open and prevent corporate service providers from blocking access to websites, slowing down content or providing paid fast lanes for internet service. For more, we speak with Craig Aaron, president and CEO of Free Press.

Under the deal, Sinclair would reach more than 70 percent of American households, with stations in many major markets, including Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.

The Sinclair Broadcast Group is reportedly nearing a $4 billion deal to purchase Tribune Media. The reported purchase comes after President Trump’s pick to head the FCC, Ajit Pai, dramatically rolled back limits capping the number of stations one corporation can control. For more, we speak with Craig Aaron, president and CEO of Free Press.

Mike Rispoli, director of News Voices: New Jersey, discusses the critical importance of local news.