To Fix Our Political System, Nonprofits Must Push for More Open Media

[Commentary] It is important for nonprofits to press for sensible changes in media policy.

There are many organizations working successfully to advance the public interest in media and telecommunications. Groups like Free Press and Public Knowledge have spearheaded efforts to demand that access to information remain open for all citizens through advocacy for an open Internet, among many other issues. Often referred to as net neutrality, the principle is that all content carried on the Internet should be permitted to flow freely to all customers. Big media companies often prevail in Washington, where they enjoy a vast advantage in resources for lobbying and advocacy. But there have been several notable victories for public interest advocates. A signal achievement in media-policy advocacy has been the passage of the Local Community Radio Act, which requires the Federal Communications Commission to expand licenses for low-power FM radio stations for nonprofit community groups. The leading advocate for low-power expansion has been the Prometheus Radio Project, which continues to provide guidance to nonprofit organizations that want to obtain a radio license. One other bit of good news: The FCC has extended the deadline for nonprofit groups to apply for these low-power radio licenses to November 14, thanks to the government shutdown: One small bright spot in an otherwise bleak disruption of the workings of the federal government.

[Stehle is executive director of Media Impact Funders]