FreePress (USA)
Media Minutes: July 30, 2010
The Electronic Frontier Foundation wins three victories in new exemptions to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. And Twin Cities Community Voice Mail offers cell phones and service to the homeless population of St. Paul, MN.
Closed-Door Meetings Continue at the FCC, Cut Out the Public
WASHINGTON – The Federal Communications Commission chairman reportedly is continuing to hold closed-door meetings with a few large phone, cable and Internet content companies to negotiate a “compromise” on the crucial issue of Network Neutrality that could jeopardize the free and open Internet.
Library of Congress Decision Favors Consumers Seeking to Unlock Cell Phones
WASHINGTON – Today, the Library of Congress announced that cell phone users who unlock their phones for use on a different, compatible network or to access third-party applications are not in violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
Sen. Franken to the Netroots: Only You Can Stop the Corporate Takeover of Free Speech
Media Minutes: July 23, 2010
A critical program that new noncommercial radio stations have historically relied upon to for expensive construction costs has been targeted by the Obama administration. And a special guest commentary by Nick Russo on why Congress needs to pass the Local Community Radio Act and put Low-Power FM stations in every community.
Free Press Responds to Reports That T-Mobile Is Abandoning Net Neutrality
WASHINGTON -- Responding to reports that T-Mobile is planning to abandon Net Neutrality for mobile video, Free Press Political Adviser Joel Kelsey said:
Free Press Disappointed in FCC Decision to Defend Discredited Media Ownership Rule
WASHINGTON -- The Federal Communications Commission filed a brief today with a U.S. appeals court defending the agency’s 2007 decision under former Chairman Kevin Martin to weaken the Newspaper-Broadcast Cross-Ownership (NBCO) Rule.
FCC Report Finds Broadband Deployment Lacking
WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Communications Commission released the findings of its sixth Section 706 report, determining that broadband services are not being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely manner. The report, mandated by the 1996 Telecommunications Act, requires the FCC to assess the status of broadband deployment.
How Industry Lies about Jobs and Regulation
My old friend Jay Stuckey has a saying that has stuck with me for decades: “Don’t let them piss on your leg and tell you that it’s raining.”
When Jay used it he was referring to politicians who lied to scare up votes. Today, this adage refers to powerful corporations that lie to scare politicians.
Democracy Depends on Diverse Media, Senators Say
WASHINGTON – Today, a bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski reminding him that the Senate continues to be concerned about the dangers of media consolidation. Sens.
Industry-Funded Study Is Baseless Attempt to Stoke Fear
WASHINGTON – In response to the release this morning of the Progressive Policy Institute's study titled "The Coming Communications Boom," Free Press Research Director S. Derek Turner made the following statement:
Free Press Applauds Introduction of the Snowe-Kerry Spectrum Bill
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.) introduced the Spectrum Measurement and Policy Reform Act today. The bill starts the process of implementing the recommendations of the Federal Communications Commission in the National Broadband Plan related to spectrum policy.
FCC Public Comments Overwhelmingly Favor Genachowski’s ‘Third Way’ for the Internet
WASHINGTON – SavetheInternet.com Coalition members, including Free Press and ColorofChange.org, filed petitions with more than 100,000 signatures last week in support of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski’s “Third Way” approach to protecting Net Neutrality and restoring broadband authority.
Media Minutes: July 16, 2010
Warning that insufficient government oversight has resulted in higher cable and Internet service prices, Free Press President and CEO Josh Silver urged the FCC to stop the Comcast-NBC merger at the agency's public hearing in Chicago. And a victory for the people of North Carolina: An industry-written bill to ban municipal broadband was killed by the legislature.
Free Press Urges FCC to Restore Broadband Oversight Authority
WASHINGTON -- In comments filed today with the Federal Communications Commission, Free Press urges the agency to swiftly implement Chairman Genachowski's proposal to re-establish a legal framework that allows the Commission to set broadband policy, protect consumers and promote innovation in the broadband marketplace.
Free Press Urges FCC to Reject Comcast/NBC Deal
CHICAGO – Free Press President and CEO Josh Silver will testify today before the Federal Communications Commission’s public forum on Comcast’s proposed takeover of NBC Universal.
Free Press Calls for Strong Ownership Rules
WASHINGTON -- Free Press filed extensive comments last night in response to a Federal Communications Commission Notice of Inquiry issued in the 2010 Quadrennial Media Ownership Review.
Data Roaming Rules Needed to Spur Competition in Mobile Broadband Market
WASHINGTON – In an effort to increase competition in the market for mobile high-speed Internet, the Federal Communications Commission is proposing rules that will require wireless carriers to offer data roaming on reasonable terms to other service providers. Free Press encourages the FCC’s proposal and filed Reply Comments in support today.
Reclaiming Spectrum: A Solution in Search of a Problem?
Last week, President Obama put out a memorandum on spectrum reclamation, placing further momentum behind the push to free up more spectrum for mobile high-speed Internet use. Sound familiar?
