Free Press Mourns Everett C. Parker
WASHINGTON — The Rev. Dr. Everett C. Parker, the founder of the Office of Communication, Inc., at the United Church of Christ, died on Thursday morning at the age of 102.
Parker played a historic role in working with civil rights leaders in Jackson, Miss., during the 1960s to challenge the license of a racist local TV station. At the time, residents didn't have the right to take part in FCC proceedings. But a lawsuit the Office of Communication brought against the local station changed media history when in 1966 a federal court ruled that the public had legal standing to challenge a broadcast license.
In addition, Parker’s work with civil rights groups across the country played a critical role in pressuring broadcast stations to integrate their newsrooms and improve coverage of communities of color.
Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron made the following statement:
“All of us who work for a just media system that represents and responds to the public owe a debt to Everett Parker. Dr. Parker paved the way to ensure that people could challenge powerful media companies and advocate for the media they deserve. Dr. Parker helped inspire generations of advocates and activists, within and beyond the civil rights and faith communities, to fight media injustice. His long lifetime of good work should be an example to all of us as that struggle continues. We send our condolences to his family and all of his colleagues at the United Church of Christ."
