News

WASHINGTON — Late Friday, Free Press and Put People First! PA filed a petition to deny several broadcast license transfers that are part of Sinclair Broadcasting Group’s acquisition of Allbritton’s TV stations.

WASHINGTON — On Thursday, as part of Lifeline Awareness Week, Free Press Action Fund and more than 80 groups sent a letter to members of the Senate and House Commerce Committees urging them to support and protect the Lifeline Program.

WASHINGTON — On Monday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard arguments in Verizon v. FCC — the landmark case on the Federal Communications Commission’s open-Internet rules.

WASHINGTON — On Monday, the Public Interest Public Airwaves Coalition filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission about the agency’s rules requiring broadcasters to post their political files online.

WASHINGTON — According to news reports, the Koch brothers are no longer pursuing a possible deal to purchase eight Tribune Company newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune.

WASHINGTON — On Friday, the Federal Communications Commission voted to reduce calling rates for prisoners and their families.

WASHINGTON — Sinclair Broadcast Group has announced a $985-million deal to purchase nine local TV stations from Allbritton Communications, including both the ABC affiliate and a 24-hour cable news channel in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON — On Wednesday evening, Free Press and other groups filed a petition at the Federal Communications Commission to deny Gannett’s acquisition of TV station owner Belo.

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) announced that he would join Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) as a co-sponsor of the Television Consumer Freedom Act. McCain introduced the bill in May to bring consumers an “a la carte” option when purchasing cable packages.

WASHINGTON — On Monday, Free Press filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission about a flawed Minority Media Telecommunications Council study purporting to examine the impact of cross-ownership on women- and minority-owned broadcast stations.