News

WASHINGTON — Consumer groups today urged the Federal Communications Commission to establish tough new limits to keep big cable companies from growing even larger.

WASHINGTON — Ten public interest groups today released a letter they have delivered to each member of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s board of directors and to new CPB President Patricia Harrison.

WASHINGTON — Free Press, the national, nonpartisan media reform group, today renewed its call for Kenneth Tomlinson to resign as chair of the Corporation of Public Broadcasting.

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Ninth Circuit ruling in the Brand X case on administrative procedure grounds (i.e. Chevron deference to the agency) should be a wake up call to Congress on both procedural and policy grounds.

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court today ruled on two critical cases, NCTA v. Brand X and MGM v. Grokster, both of which could have a profound impact on future of the Internet. Free Press joined amici curiae briefs in both cases.

Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, issued the following statement:

Washington — For the first time, groups representing local governments, the high tech industry, and consumer organizations have banded together to promote community broadband choices and the right of communities to provide broadband internet services to their citizens.

WASHINGTON — In a 284 to 140 vote today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bipartisan amendment restoring $100 million in funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. More than 80 Republicans broke rank and supported the amendment introduced by Reps. David Obey (D-Wis.), Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) and Jim Leach (R-Iowa).

WASHINGTON — Patricia S. Harrison, former co-chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, has been selected as president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. On Monday, Free Press delivered nearly 100,000 petitions to CPB, calling for Chairman Kenneth Tomlinson’s resignation.

Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, made the following statement:

WASHINGTON – Kenneth Tomlinson, chairman of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), is facing increased criticism from Congress and legions of concerned citizens for his political interference at PBS and NPR.

WASHINGTON — Free Press, the national, nonpartisan media reform group, today filed formal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission, seeking an expanded investigation “into the ongoing crisis of our broadcast news media provoked by so-called payola punditry.”