Free Press

Free Press is a nonprofit policy advocacy and research organization focused on developing a more diverse and public interest-oriented media ecosystem in the United States. Specifically, it is focused on building equitable access to technology, diverse and independent ownership of media platforms, and strong public and community media. This project grant is enabling Free Press to launch a new initiative, the Future of Civic Media, to strengthen the capacity of local and state advocates to create policy environments that prioritize local information needs and help to sustain local news and information in underserved communities. Its goal is to transform the policies and practices that shape local journalism to create sustainable, equitable civic media that help communities thrive.

Free Press is a nonprofit policy advocacy organization focused on developing a more diverse and public interest-oriented media ecosystem in the United States. This includes working toward equitable access to technology, diverse and independent ownership of media platforms, and strong public and community media. A central focus of its mission is to curb dangerous mis- and disinformation and hateful activities online and over the airwaves, working directly with media and platform companies to improve their policies, holding them accountable via public pressure campaigns, and working to increase the capacity of grassroots organizations to advocate for changes that are beneficial and protective of their communities. This general operating support grant enables Free Press to continue its work to strengthen local media, advocate for greater diversity in media ownership, and ensure technology innovations do not violate people’s basic rights all while growing its efforts to combat disinformation and hate speech online and contribute to a grassroots movement for a safer, more inclusive internet.

Free Press is a nonprofit policy advocacy organization focused on developing a more diverse and public interest-oriented media ecosystem in the United States. This includes working toward equitable access to technology, diverse and independent ownership of media platforms, and strong public and community media. A central focus of its mission is to curb dangerous mis- and disinformation and hateful activities online and over the airwaves, working directly with media and platform companies to improve their policies, holding them accountable via public pressure campaigns, and working to increase the capacity of grassroots organizations to advocate for changes that are beneficial and protective of their communities. This general operating support grant enables Free Press to continue its work to strengthen local media, advocate for greater diversity in media ownership, and ensure technology innovations do not violate people’s basic rights all while growing its efforts to combat disinformation and hate speech online and contribute to a grassroots movement for a safer, more inclusive internet.

Free Press is a nonprofit policy advocacy organization focused on developing a more diverse and public interest-oriented media ecosystem in the United States. Free Press is currently focused on assessing the landscape of state-level policy proposals to sustain and remake journalism, and understanding the public support for these initiatives, and how it can be strengthened. The intended outcomes of this work are an informed set of opportunities for advocacy organizations and funders to help generate greater support for community-centered journalism in the policy arena.

Free Press is a media and platform advocacy and research organization that works on free and open Internet, privacy and surveillance, accountable media ownership, and the future of journalism. It advocates for an equitable and just media system that fosters a free flow of information, individual protections, racial justice, and engagement in public life. The Media Power Collaborative (MPC), a project of Free Press’ journalism work, is an organizing space for journalists, newsroom leaders, media workers, civic activists, and allied researchers to build a shared analysis and policy proposals for the future of journalism. The goal of this work is to build a broad coalition of journalism and civic engagement groups that can help to promote public policies and public funding for a stronger and more sustainable local news ecosystem.