$500,000
2022 • 2 years • Journalism & Media
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 developing and analyzing public interest policies. Last year, Free Press was invited to serve as the policy lead for the Disinfo Defense League (DDL), a coalition of 200 grassroots advocates, civil rights leaders and researchers working to combat disinformation, especially in communities of color. This general operating support grant enables Free Press to continue its work to strengthen local media, advocate for greater diversity in media ownership, and push for broadband access for all while growing its efforts to combat disinformation and hate speech online and contribute to a grassroots movement for a safer, more inclusive internet.