News

WASHINGTON – Free Press, Consumers Union, Common Cause and the Consumer Federation of America today announced a plan to “take public broadcasting to the people,” proposing a series of local hearings across the country where the public will talk directly to broadcasters and policymakers about the future of public broadcasting.

LAS VEGAS – Free Press, the national, nonpartisan media reform group, will announce the nominees for The Big Media Hall of Shame at a press conference this morning in Las Vegas. The five nominees, all prominent media and government figures, will be saluted for their public disservice and contributions to media consolidation.

WASHINGTON – Free Press, the nonpartisan media reform group, today endorsed a series of proposed reforms to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a U.N.

WASHINGTON — On Wednesday night, the Federal Communications Commission called on all television newscasters to clearly disclose the origin of video news releases (VNRs) used on their programs.

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — Free Press, the national, nonpartisan media reform group, today applauded the defeat of Arizona House Bill 2563 – which would have gutted local “franchise fees” across the state that sustain local media and support public safety.

WASHINGTON – Municipal broadband networks can provide an essential catalyst for market competition, economic development, and the achievement of universal, affordable Internet access, according to three new reports released today by the Media Access Project (MAP), Consumer Federation of America (CFA), Free Press, and the Florida Municipal Electric Association.

WASHINGTON – High-tech entrepreneurs and consumers eagerly embrace peer-to-peer networks and believe the technology fosters economic, technological and social innovation, according to a new report released today by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA).

WASHINGTON — Free Press, the nonpartisan media reform group, and the Center for Media and Democracy filed a complaint (PDF) with the Federal Communications Commission today, urging FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin to investigate broadcasters who distribute government-sponsored news reports without identifying their source.

Low power FM (LPFM) broadcasters and supporters praised the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for beginning a new proceeding to promote LPFM.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Kevin Martin will be named this week as the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, replacing Michael Powell. Robert W. McChesney, founder and president of the nonpartisan media reform group Free Press, made the following statement: