How Free Press aims to shape telecom policy

Launched in 2002, Free Press is devoted solely to telecom and communications issues. "The idea behind it was that on every major political issue, such as health care, education, or energy, there were large civic organizations to represent people in Washington, but there was no entity of that sort in media and telecom," said Ben Scott, policy director for Free Press. Pointing to organizations such as the Sierra Club and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as role models, Scott said Free Press accepts anyone who wants to join. Membership is free, although a small percentage of members do contribute financially. The organization also receives some financial support from foundations. The organization today has 500,000 members and has grown from a staff of two to more than 30. A Massachusetts office focuses on public education and town meetings and on educating members using online tools. A Washington DC office staffed by lawyers and researchers studies and monitors the regulatory process and identifies decisions it wants to be involved in shaping.