Media Policy

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Restrictive media policies can curtail access to the content we do have through the infrastructure we currently have in place. There are clear roles for funders to play in helping to address media policy issues and GFEM works to keep funders abreast of the constantly shifting media policy environment.

The Media Policy Working Group (MPWG) was created to raise awareness and build knowledge about key issues in media policy within the broader philanthropic community. Our aim is to engage and educate grantmakers across fields about the ever-changing media policy and communications policy landscape, as well as foster collaboration among interested donors in support of targeted activities to help advance the media policy field. MPWG activities include a quarterly teleconference and periodic phone briefings on timely issues in addition to quarterly updates in the GFEM newsletter. MPWG also partners with other funder affinity groups to organize media policy-related sessions at national gatherings. Membership is open to grantmakers working in and outside the U.S. with an interest in learning and sharing grantmaking experiences about media policy in the public interest. If you would like to join the MPWG please contact jperlstein (at) gfem (dot) org.

Digital Accessibility: The Coalition for Accessible Technology’s Work

[Source: Media and Democracy Coalition Newsletter, by Hannah Miller (MadCo), June 3, 2010]
American Foundation for the Blind talks about the efforts of over 300 organizations to ensure accessibility as digital media advances.

Resources from Broadband Regulation and Rural America Webinar

[Source: May 24, 2010]
 Resources from the National Rural Assembly Webinar, Broadband Reclassification to Title II are available now.  See attached presentations about about what Title II Reclassification means to rural ...

Broadband and the FCC

[Source: The New York Times, by Editorial, May 16, 2010]
The Republican attack on the Federal Communications Commission’s proposal to classify broadband Internet access as a telecommunications service sounded a lot like the G.O.P. talking points on health care reform.

New Attack Against Net Neutrality Utilizes Scare Tactics

[Source: ZDNet, by Sam Diaz, May 13, 2010]
When all else fails, launch a scare campaign. That’s exactly what Americans for Prosperity - a group that’s reportedly backed by the telcos, among others - is doing.

New Report from Public Knowledge About Copyright Reform Act

[Source: Public Knowledge, May 11, 2010]
Public Knowledge presents a 2nd proposal in their Copyright Reform Act series.

Free Press Releases Report: "New Public Media: A Plan for Action"

[Source: Free Press, by Josh Silver, Candace Clement, Craig Aaron, S. Derek Turner, May 11, 2010]
A new policy paper from Free Press called New Public Media: A Plan for Action presents a series of creative policies and proposes reforms to support quality news reporting in local communities and to build a world-class noncommercial media system in America.

Public Knowledge Defends FCC Authority for New Broadband Policies

PK's Harold Feld outlines the sound legal framework the FCC's approach takes regarding Net Neutrality and broadband reclassification

FCC to Seek Net Neutrality Using New Legal Framework

[Source: The Hill, by Tony Romm, May 6, 2010]
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski on Thursday announced his agency would seek to regain its lost grip on broadband by applying some of the rules that govern everything from phone companies to Internet providers.


More Reaction to FCC Broadband Classification Plan

[Source: Benton Foundation, by Kevin Taglang, May 6, 2010]
Statements from Public Knowledge, Free Press and Media Access Project