News

WASHINGTON — In a speech at the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, identified policy priorities to support the future of news. “This is a policy issue,” said Waxman of the current state of journalism. “Government is going to have to be involved in one way or another.”

WASHINGTON — On Monday, GE reportedly reached an agreement to buy out Vivendi’s share of NBC Universal. The deal would clear the way for Comcast to take a controlling stake in NBCU and open the door to a new era of media consolidation that reaches across content creation and distribution, giving one company enormous power over TV and Internet content.

SAN FRANCISCO — A motion urging the Federal Communications Commission to create strong Network Neutrality rules will be voted on today by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

NEW YORK — Testifying before the New York City Council today, Free Press delivered signatures from more than 4,000 New Yorkers calling for strong open Internet rules. The City Council is considering a resolution (712A-2007) urging the federal government to protect Net Neutrality.

WASHINGTON — The Senate Commerce Committee voted unanimously on Thursday to pass the Local Community Radio Act (S. 592), legislation that would open the public airwaves to hundreds of new Low Power FM (LPFM) radio stations in communities across the country.

WASHINGTON — Today, four consumer and public interest groups sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission seeking clarity regarding Net Neutrality.

WASHINGTON — On Friday, Free Press, SaveTheNews.org and thousands of citizens filed comments with the Federal Trade Commission on policy ideas to improve the future of journalism in America. In December, the FTC will hold a series of high-profile workshops on journalism and the news in our digital economy; the agency sought public input to shape the event.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission has approved a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Network Neutrality policies that would preserve the open Internet on all wired and wireless networks.

WASHINGTON — 28 major U.S. consumer and public interest groups, including Free Press, signed on today to a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chair Julius Genachowski in support of stronger Net Neutrality rules. The FCC is releasing proposed new rules at a meeting on Thursday.

WASHINGTON — A new report by Free Press provides overwhelming evidence, despite the claims of companies like AT&T, that Network Neutrality will not harm network investment.