If you are a member of the media and have inquiries, interview requests, or would like to join our press list, please contact Timothy Karr at 201-533-8838, or email him at tkarr@freepress.net.

Recent press releases are below. You may download our media kit here.

  • FCC Chairman Genachowski to Step Down

    March 21, 2013
    WASHINGTON -- The Wall Street Journal reports that Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski will announce on Friday that he will step down from his position as head of the agency. Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron made the following statement: "When Julius Genachowski took office, there were high hopes that he would use his powerful position to promote the public interest. But instead of acting as the people's champion, he’s catered to corporate interests."

  • Free Press Statement on Robert McDowell's Departure from FCC

    March 20, 2013

    WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, Federal Communications Commissioner Robert McDowell announced his departure from the agency. McDowell, a Republican, has served as an FCC commissioner since 2006.

    Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron made the following statement:

    "We congratulate Commissioner McDowell on his decision to leave the FCC. As he considers his next move, we hope he will reject the revolving door and resist becoming another FCC leader who exploits his public service to cash in at the companies he was supposed to regulate.

  • Promise of Low Power FM Radio Moves Closer to Becoming Reality

    November 30, 2012

    WASHINGTON -- On Friday, the Federal Communications Commission voted to clear space for hundreds of new community radio stations around the country and set the process to begin taking new applications for Low Power FM licenses in 2013.

    These radio stations give community voices a place on the radio dial. They give underserved populations, non-English speakers, local artists, grassroots advocates and religious organizations a chance to make their messages heard and find space in radio markets typically saturated by media conglomerates.

  • Civil Rights and Union Leaders Urge FCC to Halt Changes to Media Ownership Rules, Study Impact on Diversity

    November 28, 2012

    WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, civil rights organizations, unions and public interest groups held a press teleconference to urge the Federal Communications Commission to stop its rush to lift longstanding media ownership limits. The groups called on the FCC to delay any action on media ownership rules until it first analyzes the impact of proposed changes on women and people of color.

  • Free Press Blasts FCC for Plan to Gut Ownership Rules Without Public Input or Transparency

    November 19, 2012

    WASHINGTON -- On Monday, Free Press slammed the Federal Communications Commission’s proposal to further weaken media ownership rules. The FCC has kept most details under wraps, but reports indicate the plan would allow cross-ownership of newspaper and TV stations in the 20 largest broadcast markets. Other rule changes would allow for greater radio consolidation.

    The FCC is also reportedly attempting to avoid holding a vote on the matter at an open FCC meeting, and the agency has not held any public hearings on the proposed rule changes.

  • Long-Overdue FCC Report Shows Abysmal Levels of Female and Minority Broadcast Ownership

    November 14, 2012

    WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, the Federal Communications Commission released an assessment of female and minority ownership of commercial broadcast radio and television stations. This is the first full census the FCC has completed.

  • Free Press Applauds FCC Action on Fallow AT&T Spectrum

    October 17, 2012
    WASHINGTON -- On Wednesday, the Federal Communications Commission approved a proposal that will enable AT&T to deploy mobile broadband services on its WCS band spectrum. Usage of this spectrum had been tied up in interference disputes because of its proximity to satellite radio spectrum. AT&T and XM-Sirius settled those disputes in June, and AT&T has reached agreements with several other WCS licensees to purchase much of the remaining spectrum in the band.

  • Free Press: Commissioner Pai's Claims About Internet Oversight Distort Reality for Consumers

    October 16, 2012
    WASHINGTON -- On Tuesday, Federal Communications Commissioner Ajit Pai called the agency's ability to oversee Internet access services under common carriage rules a "hopelessly outdated" approach. The remarks continued the debate about the FCC's authority to require Internet service providers to abide by the non-discrimination and interconnection policies that currently govern telephone and enterprise telecommunications networks.

  • Free Press Pans FCC Decision to Sunset Video-Competition Safeguards

    October 5, 2012

    WASHINGTON -- On Friday, the Federal Communications Commission allowed key parts of its "program access" rules to expire, in a decision that could make it harder for rivals to traditional cable companies to compete. The regulations sunset today thanks to provisions in previous FCC decisions and in the underlying federal law. The Commission previously extended the rules in 2002 and 2007, but decided not to this time.

  • Free Press Statement on T-Mobile/MetroPCS Deal

    October 3, 2012
    WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, Deutsche Telekom and MetroPCS announced an agreement to combine T-Mobile and MetroPCS. Free Press is reviewing the details of the deal.

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