WASHINGTON – Municipal broadband networks can provide an essential catalyst for market competition, economic development, and the achievement of universal, affordable Internet access, according to three new reports released today by the Media Access Project (MAP), Consumer Federation of America (CFA), Free Press, and the Florida Municipal Electric Association.

WASHINGTON – High-tech entrepreneurs and consumers eagerly embrace peer-to-peer networks and believe the technology fosters economic, technological and social innovation, according to a new report released today by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA).

WASHINGTON — Free Press, the nonpartisan media reform group, and the Center for Media and Democracy filed a complaint (<a href="http://www.freepress.net/docs/final_vnr_letter_5.pdf">PDF</a>) with the Federal Communications Commission today, urging FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin to investigate broadcasters who distribute government-sponsored news reports without identifying their source.

Low power FM (LPFM) broadcasters and supporters praised the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for beginning a new proceeding to promote LPFM.

The <i>Wall Street Journal</i> reported Wednesday that Kevin Martin will be named this week as the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, replacing Michael Powell. Robert W. McChesney, founder and president of the nonpartisan media reform group Free Press, made the following statement:

WASHINGTON, DC – Media Access Project (MAP), Free Press, and the New America Foundation praised the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today for taking an important step in promoting shared spectrum in the 3650-3700 MHz band order released today.

Upon learning that three individuals have improperly obtained some 4,000 FM non-commercial radio station authorizations free of charge for the purpose of resale for profit, a coalition of Low Power FM (LPFM) radio advocates have filed an emergency petition calling upon the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to impose an immediate national freeze on the authorization of new FM translator stati

WASHINGTON — Free Press, the national, nonpartisan media reform group, today petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to turn down Media General's request to avoid FCC ownership rules. Media General is seeking a waiver that would allow it to operate a television station and newspaper in the same market indefinitely.

WASHINGTON -- Four major consumer and public-interest groups today urged the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the balance between copyright and technological innovation from the 1984 <i>Sony Betamax</i> case that allowed use of video recorders.

WASHINGTON -- In an open letter released today, more than 60 national, state and local organizations - representing hundreds of thousands of Americans - declared their support for allowing municipalities and other public entities to deploy broadband systems.