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Free Press

@freepress.bsky.social
7.9K followers 234 following 1.5K posts

We’re a nonpartisan organization fighting for your rights to connect and communicate. Learn more: FreePress.net

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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 3h
"Changing this limit requires congressional action, but Carr doesn't care. He'll do whatever it takes to clear the way for Trump-aligned billionaires to swallow up stations wherever and whenever they please."- Free Press' @mattfieldwood.bsky.social via @arstechnica.com
arstechnica.com
Cable lobby to sue Trump FCC over repeal of national TV ownership cap
Cable industry to sue, says FCC can't repeal TV ownership limit set by Congress.
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 9h
"We're concerned about what the Ellisons have already done since taking over Paramount and CBS. They are willing to use their money and power to censor the news, to tear down stories that they or the president don't like. We deserve better." - @jgo4justice.bsky.social
wxxinews.org
New Hollywood era begins with an epic mega merger between Paramount and Warner Bros.
The Paramount and Warner Bros. merger has survived court challenges, public protests and regulatory scrutiny. Now, the Hollywood heavyweight, named Skydance, begins operating.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
We @freepress.bsky.social joined dozens of press freedom groups and media outlets filing a supporting brief in the case. Read about my previous litigation on these topics & where history offers uncomfortable lessons for us:
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Public enemy #1. What can we learn about how to fight back against Big Tech's surveillance efforts through successful grassroots organizing? @fightforthefuture.org's Evan Greer breaks it down in this @nytimes.com op-ed: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/18/opinion/…
nytimes.com
Opinion | Why People Are Sabotaging Flock Surveillance Cameras
The campaign against Flock shows that fighting to protect personal privacy isn’t a lost cause.
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Why does ICE keep arresting journalists? Because the Trump administration wants to scare off reporters from holding those in power accountable. More here: www.freepress.net/news/press-freedo…
freepress.net
Press-Freedom Coalition Calls for the Immediate Release of ICE-Detained Journalist Luis Galeano
Luis Galeano is the latest in a long line of journalists who came to the United States to report on issues of the day and instead face deportation.
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Free Press is still here. Still fighting. We're fed up, but not finished. Join us to challenge powerful corporations and hold lawmakers accountable. Sign up for updates on the fight against media consolidation: act.freepress.net/signup/get-u...
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
In CA, legislation was vetoed that would have penalized folks for using smart glasses to record others without permission in spaces generally considered private. From AP: apnews.com/article/cali...
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Free Press stands with student journalists bravely speaking truth to powerful institutions while the news industry faces collapse. Like many, watching this story unfold has gutted our team. The Cornell Daily Sun is editorially and financially independent. Support them here: www.cornellsun.com
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
The Ellisons will now own CNN, CBS, HBO, Paramount and Warner Bros. The approval of the mega-merger is a call to action to fight billionaire control of the media. @spencewuah.bsky.social @moreperfectunion.bsky.social react to the news. Read Free Press' statement: www.freepress.net/news/free-pr...
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Data centers are facing a surge of local opposition and a collapse of public support across the country. Carla Marie Davis is on Instagram with "The People's Guide to K*lling Data Centers". Check out her original content here: www.instagram.com/p/Dd6-5BzuhAN/
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
We're fed up, but not finished. September has been relentless as tech oligarchs continue to spend their billions to expand their control - from mega-mergers to hyperscale data centers. ICYMI >>>
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
"The answer to white supremacy is multiracial democracy. Multiracial solidarity campaigns have mucked up the gears in the past." More from historian Dr. Kelly Lytle Hernández about the whites-only system driving the U.S. immigration machine on Pressing Issues:
pressingissues.org
The U.S. Immigration Regime Is ‘Racist by Design’
A conversation with historian Dr. Kelly Lytle Hernández about the historic whites-only system driving the U.S. immigration machine
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Jessica J. González @jgo4justice.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
@freepress.bsky.social and #BlocktheMerger allies have worked tirelessly to challenge the Ellison family takeover of Warner Bros. This week we lost, and I've been reflecting on the unfair advantage that billionaire oligarchs have in our media and our politics. pressingissues.org/tech-barons-...
pressingissues.org
Loss Leaders: Tech Barons Buy Up Media Outlets to Hide Grifts
Billionaires are amassing control of our information environment to manipulate and control politics
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Tim Karr @timkarr.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
House Dems (under @raskin.house.gov's lead) launch an investigation into Big Data's widespread use of NDA's to muzzle local government officials and stifle public discussions of data center projects in communities across the country. This is an under-reported story with a 1st Amendment wrinkle...
democrats-judiciary.house.gov
Ranking Member Raskin Probes Big Tech’s Use of Non-Disclosure Agreements to Prevent Local Officials From Discussing Data Center Projects With Constituents
Washington, D.C. (September 30, 2026)—Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, launched an investigation into Amazon, Google, Meta and Oracle over their use of non-disclosur...
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The fight against media consolidation is growing, as more and more people are ready to stand up for a more competitive, diverse and inclusive media system. Free Press and our allies will not go away until we have a media that serves everyone, and not just a handful of billionaires and politicians.
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
"We must do more to prevent media conglomerates and their billionaire owners from amassing so much power... while they’re twisting U.S. media and politics to crush competing viewpoints and win merger approvals." - @jgo4justice.bsky.social Free Press' statement: www.freepress.net/news/free-pr...
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
We're disappointed that Federal Court Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín approved the Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery mega-merger – and that our elected officials’ capitulation made it possible. But we're taking this as a call to action against billionaire control of the media. >>>
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Breaking: A federal judge signed off on the disastrous Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. We must do more to prevent media conglomerates and their billionaire owners from amassing so much power. Our statement: www.freepress.net/news/free-pr...
freepress.net
Free Press: Judge's Approval of the Paramount Mega-Merger Is a Call to Action Against Billionaire Control of the Media
Dangerous mega-mergers like this demonstrate the urgent need to enforce the antitrust laws instead of caving in.
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Government targeting of non-white immigrants is neither accidental nor new. It is grounded in years of U.S. history, a topic UCLA Professor Kelly L. Hernández explores in Racist by Design: Two Centuries of U.S. Immigration Control. Ruth Livier spoke with the historian for Pressing Issues:
pressingissues.org
The U.S. Immigration Regime Is ‘Racist by Design’
A conversation with historian Dr. Kelly Lytle Hernández about the historic whites-only system driving the U.S. immigration machine
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Jameel Jaffer @jameeljaffer.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
From Matt Wood @freepress.bsky.social knightcolumbia.org/blog/beyond-...
knightcolumbia.org
Beyond Fighting Mergers and Censorship, to Finding and Funding New Models
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Ruth Livier, PhD @rlivier.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Our immigration system is unfair, despotic, racist. My @freepress.bsky.social Pressing Issues Q&A w/UCLA’s Dr.Hernández’s re her book, RACIST BY DESIGN, which unearths how we got here. pressingissues.org/us-immigrati... editors @juliorvarela.com @notaaroncraig.bsky.social @timkarr.bsky.social
pressingissues.org
The U.S. Immigration Regime Is ‘Racist by Design’
A conversation with historian Dr. Kelly Lytle Hernández about the historic whites-only system driving the U.S. immigration machine
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The editorial board created to oversee CNN and CBS News resembles an oversight structure Facebook used for content decisions and cannot guarantee editorial independence when the parent company appoints and pays the board's members.
nationofchange.org
States settle antitrust suit over $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. merger | NationofChange
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Julio Ricardo Varela @juliorvarela.com · 29/09/2026
The 112th edition of Pressing Issues from @freepress.bsky.social is by @rlivier.bsky.social, who interviews Dr. Kelly Lytle Hernández about her "Racist by Design" book, which examines 2 centuries of U.S. Immigration control & includes history & context mainstream media rarely (if at all) covers.
pressingissues.org
The U.S. Immigration Regime Is ‘Racist by Design’
A conversation with historian Dr. Kelly Lytle Hernández about the historic whites-only system driving the U.S. immigration machine
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Free Press' Vanessa Maria Graber stands as one of the NE region's most influential bilingual Latina journalists and media educators. Her work spans policy, community organizing, and civic journalism. We are thrilled to see @newsjawn.bsky.social's work celebrated on @frontrunnernj.bsky.social:
frontrunnernewjersey.com
Hispanic Heritage Month: Vanessa Maria Graber Fights for Press Freedom, Representation - Front Runner New Jersey
BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC JosepH Media PHILADELPHIA — For Vanessa Maria Graber, journalism has never been just a profession. It has been a calling, a responsibility, and a vehicle for community power. Graber, who has long South Jersey roots, growing up part-time in Pennsauken while living in Camden County for several years before settling
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Public Citizen @publiccitizen.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
HATCH ACT VIOLATION: We filed a complaint alleging that Trump’s TV ad violated the Hatch Act by using government funds to promote his personal propaganda. The violation is clear: taxpayer money cannot pay for partisan political propaganda. This must be investigated.
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Voters are inundated with social media-fueled misinformation and headlines about threats to their right to vote. It’s more important than ever that voters have access to trusted, reliable information. Join us for a discussion of the role that local news plays in an election year. RSVP ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Without warning, Trump unilaterally banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. Press access revoked. Free Press' @attorneynora.bsky.social with @ajc.com on First Amendment protections: www.ajc.com/opinion/2026/09/trump-f…
ajc.com
Trump’s ban on CNN, Politico and MS NOW is an unconstitutional fiat
The First Amendment protects the press precisely because U.S. presidents cannot make that decision to cherry-pick media access as a loyalty test.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The White House press pool is not a loyalty test. Check out my piece in @ajc.com! www.ajc.com/opinion/2026...
ajc.com
Trump’s ban on CNN, Politico and MS NOW is an unconstitutional fiat
The First Amendment protects the press precisely because U.S. presidents cannot make that decision to cherry-pick media access as a loyalty test.
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Knight First Amendment Institute @knightcolumbia.org · 24/09/2026
What are the best ways to preserve quality journalism? @mattfieldwood.bsky.social of @freepress.bsky.social discusses finding, and funding, new models of journalism amid attacks on the press: knightcolumbia.org/blog/beyond-...
knightcolumbia.org
Beyond Fighting Mergers and Censorship, to Finding and Funding New Models
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Athena Coalition @athenaforall.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
THIS is what the data center fight looks like! People from all over the US met up in Indianapolis to work on protecting our climate, jobs, and communities from Big Tech’s greedy AI race. Big thanks to Citizens Action Indiana for hosting!
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The ad aired during at least two NFL games on Sunday with a "paid for by the U.S. government" disclaimer and has cost taxpayers more than $362,000 so far, citing data from advertising intelligence company AdImpact.
time.com
Trump's Taxpayer-Funded Ads Draw Bipartisan Criticism
Critics have called the ads “propaganda,” but the White House says they’re “public service announcements.”
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"The motion for an amicus brief – enabling interested parties to present legal arguments relating to a case — was filed Thursday morning in the federal court of California, where Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín is still deciding over whether to approve the $111 billion deal." - via @variety.com
variety.com
Block the Merger Coalition Files Legal Request to Oppose Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal
A coalition of groups have filed an emergency motion in California seeking to oppose Paramount's Warner Bros. win.
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"A coalition of free speech and media advocacy groups told the judge in a filing yesterday that the deal will give residents of the states that sued Paramount "virtually nothing." - via @arstechnica.com
arstechnica.com
Paramount/WBD merger conditions give the public "virtually nothing," judge is told
US judge reviews deal with California, says it must not be result of collusion.
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
PHILLY: Join us and Rep. Chris Rabb @reprabb.bsky.social for a discussion of how local news strengthens our elections. We'll be at Temple University on Thursday, Oct. 1. Doors open at 6 pm for registration and food.
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The White House Press Pool is not a loyalty test. As @attorneynora.bsky.social explains in Pressing Issues, "When access becomes a presidential favor rather than a professional function, the president gains leverage over what the public gets to see." pressingissues.org/white-house-...
pressingissues.org
The White House Press Pool Is Not a Loyalty Test
President Trump’s longstanding attacks on the media have reached a constitutional breaking point
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"Free, Fair and Factual" features Temple's Sarah Alvarez, Philly Association of Black Journalists' Ernest Owens @mrernestowens.bsky.social, Common Cause PA's Philip Hensley-Robin @philiphensleyrobin.bsky.social + our own Vanessa Marie Graber. See you there! RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/free-fair-...
eventbrite.com
Free, Fair and Factual: How Local News Strengthens Our Elections
Join us for a discussion of the role that local news plays in ensuring people can access trustworthy information in an election year.
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
PHILLY: Join us and Rep. Chris Rabb @reprabb.bsky.social for a discussion of how local news strengthens our elections. We'll be at Temple University on Thursday, Oct. 1. Doors open at 6 pm for registration and food.
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Late Thursday night, we filed an amicus brief asking the judge to reject the Paramount-WBD settlement because it would harm competition, hurt workers and consumers, and end CNN's editorial independence. Paramount's response is due on Monday. www.freepress.net/news/free-pr...
freepress.net
Free Press and Block the Merger Partners File Amicus Brief Blasting Pitiful Paramount Settlement
“The court should reject this deal outright," says Jessica J. González. "It doesn’t address the anti-competitive concerns that state attorneys general themselves identified in their initial lawsuit."
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Jessica J. González @jgo4justice.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The parties will have until Monday at noon to respond to us as well as @booker.senate.gov and @lulacorg.bsky.social who also voiced important concerns.
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Jessica J. González @jgo4justice.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Special thanks to my co-counsel @brendanbenedict.bsky.social who lead our brief. And to the hundreds of thousands of people who have shared their concerns with us. We fight for you.
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Jessica J. González @jgo4justice.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
#BlocktheMerger groups @freepress.bsky.social @1acommittee.bsky.social @freedom.press @filmcoalition.bsky.social @documentary.org filed an amicus brief last night urging the court to reject Paramount’s consent decree with state AGs. More here: www.freepress.net/news/free-pr...
freepress.net
Free Press and Block the Merger Partners File Amicus Brief Blasting Pitiful Paramount Settlement
“The court should reject this deal outright," says Jessica J. González. "It doesn’t address the anti-competitive concerns that state attorneys general themselves identified in their initial lawsuit."
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
People all over the country have taken action to stop Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. And while the AGs might have caved, these activists in LA, NYC and Oakland are not giving up: www.freepress.net/blog/activis...
freepress.net
Activists Take to the Streets to Protest the Weak Paramount Settlement
Over the last year, a huge movement arose to block Paramount Skydance’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. And this fight is not over.
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Matt Wood @mattfieldwood.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Thanks so much to the great thinkers and friends at @knightcolumbia.org who invited @freepress.bsky.social to be part of this important series on Reconstructing Free Expression.
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Nora Benavidez @attorneynora.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Happening within the same 72 hours that Trump banned media from the White House — alarm bells as we hurl towards the midterms with near-daily reminders that the group of men controlling our govt & media & tech grows smaller as they glom onto power & wield increasingly authoritarian tactics.
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Great news: The fight is NOT over on the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. We stayed up all night to file an emergency motion, and the judge just agreed to hear us out! Our brief is due tonight at midnight – stay tuned for more updates.
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Jessica J. González @jgo4justice.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
BREAKING: The #BlockTheMerger groups just won our motion!!! Our amicus briefs on why the court should not accept the weak and unenforceable consent decree are due at midnight tonight.
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Free Press @freepress.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Early this morning, the #BlocktheMerger Coalition went to court to fight back. We filed an emergency motion to oppose the weak and unenforceable settlement Paramount struck with the AGs to take over Warner Bros: www.freepress.net/news/free-pr...
freepress.net
Free Press Goes to Court to Stop Paramount's Toothless Settlement
Free Press and allies filed an emergency motion requesting the opportunity to formally oppose the weak consent decree that state attorneys general entered into with Paramount.
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Jessica J. González @jgo4justice.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
On Tuesday I was out in front of Paramount with dozens of creative workers and free speech advocates who are deeply disappointed and worried. We are grateful for their courage, and we won’t stop fighting for and with them.
Protesters rally outside the Paramount gates with signs opposing the deal.
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Jessica J. González @jgo4justice.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
And mil gracias to @LULAC and Black church leaders who also filed a motion with the court last night out of concern about the disproportionate impacts of this deal on communities of color. Thank you so much for standing firm for us!
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Jessica J. González @jgo4justice.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Shout out to all my #BlocktheMerger partners who worked through the night to file this emergency motion! And to my brilliant co-counsel @brendanbenedict.bsky.social who took this case pro bono because he believes in the cause.
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