FCC

The FCC released its 450-page assessment on the future of media. Unfortunately, many the report’s recommendations around localism, media consolidation and transparency are contradictory to its analysis. And Sonic’s new 1 Gbps fiber broadband connection with two phone lines for $70 is sure to shake up the broadband market in Sonoma County.

FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker’s announcement that she’s taking a lucrative job with Comcast-NBC has struck a chord of frustration nationwide. And Righthaven, a company notorious for shaking down small bloggers on questionable copyright claims, is now in the hotseat.

As extremists in Congress take steps to kill funding for public broadcasting, a new report suggests our nation’s public media need more money to serve the public, not less. And the federal government is sending mixed messages about the importance of Internet Freedom.

Public media is the most trusted source of news in both the United States and in Great Britain. Any yet, public media institutions are fighting for their lives and to keep public spaces for encountering culture, debate issues and share experiences. And the FCC is being urged to investigate local news stations that are airing paid advertising disguised as fake news segments.

The U.S. Postal Service's recent proposal to hike postal rates has small print publications and news outlets worried for their future. And a deal between Google and Verizon could mark the beginning of the end of the Internet as we know it.