Blogs by Author | Free Press

Journalists Need to Advocate for Better Media Policy
Josh Stearns
January 9, 2012
The Stop Online Piracy Act has sparked an important debate among journalists and within journalism organizations about their role as advocates for and against policies that impact the future of news. Of course, journalists have long been important advocates for policies like the shield law and the Freedom of Information Act and have been staunch defenders against incursions on freedom of the press. However, in terms of some of the most important media policy discussions, many journalism organizations have been silent.
No Cuts to Public Media in the Next Budget
Josh Stearns
December 29, 2011
If you’re like me, you’re used to hearing “This program was made possible by supporters like you” at the end of NPR and PBS shows. But this year those words take on a special significance.

Thanks to an incredible outpouring of support from people all across the country, public media survived the most serious political attacks in Congress it has faced in years. Repeated efforts to pass bad bills, sneak through dangerous cuts and undermine the fundamental structure of public media failed thanks to the hard work of activists and fans who wrote to Congress, called their policymakers and even showed up in Washington, D.C., to make their voices heard.
Journalists: Don't Be Objective About Media Transparency
Josh Stearns
December 21, 2011
We try to shine a spotlight on the media policies that shape journalism in America — for better and for worse. The Freedom of Information Act is a key example of how media policy can have a profound impact on journalism. Congress passed it in 1966 and it went into effect in 1967 over the objections of then-President Lyndon Johnson. It has since become a fundamental tool in journalists’ toolbox for accessing government information and holding our leaders accountable.

The Federal Communications Commission is now seeking feedback on a new rule that could open up even more information to help journalists follow the money in elections and media. However, some broadcasters are lobbying hard to derail this effort at enhanced disclosure.
NYPD: Elmo Safe, Journalists Not So Much
Josh Stearns
December 13, 2011
There is breaking news out of New York City today. The New York Police Department has announced that it is halting its crackdown on Elmo. Journalists, on the other hand, are out of luck.
Call Your Mayor: Stop the Journalist Arrests
Josh Stearns
December 9, 2011
After 10 journalists were arrested during the Nov. 15 NYPD raid on Occupy Wall Street, there was a flood of attention focused on press freedom issues. Articles were written, meetings were held and about a week later the NYPD issued a formal order telling its officers to stop interfering with the press. It felt like real momentum.
Nonprofit Journalism and the Need for Policy Solutions
Josh Stearns
December 5, 2011
For decades, some of the best journalism in America has been produced by nonprofit news organizations. Consider, for example, National Public Radio, National Geographic, the Associated Press, Consumer Reports, the American Spectator, Mother Jones and the Center for Public Integrity.

But now, thanks to a strange intersection of tax law and media policy, nonprofit news has hit a roadblock.
40,000 People Call on U.S. Mayors to End Journalist Arrests
Josh Stearns
December 1, 2011
The number of journalists arrested at Occupy Wall Street events around the country just keeps climbing. After this week’s police raids on Occupy LA and Occupy Philly, the total number of journalists arrested is now up to 30. The arrests have spread across 10 cities from Oakland to Boston, Los Angeles to Atlanta.

While the arrests are perhaps the worst examples of press suppression, other reports of police roughing up journalists or blocking them from reporting continue to roll in. Even in New York City, where the NYPD has ordered its officers not to interfere with press, journalists are still being harassed.
Public Broadcasters Bear More Than Their Fair Share
Josh Stearns
November 30, 2011
Many have argued that in these tough economic times everyone should share the pain of budget cuts. Yet our recent report on state funding of public broadcasting found that in many states public broadcasters are being forced to shoulder more than their fair share of the burden.
Pressure Builds in Response to Journalist Arrests
Josh Stearns
November 22, 2011
On Monday afternoon Joe Pompeo of Capitol New York broke the news that 13 New York City news organizations and 10 press-freedom groups from across the country had sent a letter to city officials in response to recent journalist arrests. The same day, the New York Press Club announced a new coalition was forming to monitor the NYPD’s treatment of the press.

We have been tracking and documenting these journalist arrests since September and a week ago launched a citizen petition calling for all charges to be dropped and demanding that Mayor Michael Bloomberg commit to protecting the First Amendment.
Journalism Community Condemns Press Arrests
Josh Stearns
November 18, 2011
This was a bad week for press freedom in America. Thirteen journalists covering Occupy Wall Street have been arrested in New York City and numerous others were roughed up, blocked from accessing the protests or threatened by police. Reports suggest that police have used strobe lights to blind cameras, and demanded to have local TV news helicopters grounded during raids on Occupy Wall Street.

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