Welcome to the October edition of the Free Press Update, our monthly newsletter recapping as much of our work from the last month as we can fit into one email. Let’s get into it:

It’s Official: The FCC Begins Process to Reinstate Net Neutrality

Last week, the Federal Communications Commission voted 3–2 to officially begin a process to restore the Net Neutrality rules. The agency can restore these protections by reclassifying high-speed-internet access services under Title II of the Communications Act.

Since the Trump-era FCC repealed the Open Internet Order in 2017, people from across the political spectrum have called on the agency to protect an open internet and assert the agency’s authority to prevent broadband providers from harming online users.

As our co-CEO Jessica J. González put it, “We look forward to helping the FCC fix Trump-era mistakes and return these basic protections to the people who use the internet every day. With Title II back in place, everyone will be able to log on knowing that their broadband provider won’t violate their online rights without being held to account.” Read our full press release here.

Musk, Twitter and Misinformation in a Time of War

To say that Elon Musk has failed as the head of Twitter would be a colossal understatement. Musk has destroyed almost everything that once made using the platform worthwhile.

We at Free Press have been covering this trainwreck since Musk took over a year ago, but Twitter’s mishandling of the platform in the aftermath of Hamas’ attack in October and Israel’s subsequent military response marks a new low. The platform’s algorithms have boosted violent and disturbing images — some real, some faked — and disinformation about the conflict has spread across Twitter, and even jumped the digital median to appear in mainstream news outlets.

Read the analysis from Free Press Senior Counsel and Director of Digital Justice and Civil Rights Nora Benavidez.

Media 2070: Three Years of Fighting for Media Reparations

Free Press’ Black caucus launched the Media 2070 project in 2020 as an effort to radically transform who has the capital to tell their own stories 50 years from today. This happened in the midst of a global pandemic and national uprisings in response to the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.

So much in the world has shifted since, and there’s so much more to come for Media 2070. Check out Media 2070's reflection on the past three years.

Q&A with Free Press Chief of Staff Misty Perez Truedson

Free Press Chief of Staff Misty Perez Truedson is the embodiment of compassion.

This is not hyperbole. Misty, who started at Free Press in 2008, has worn many hats at the organization — but care and empathy have guided her from the get-go. She’s played a crucial role in shaping Free Press’ supportive culture — and its emphasis on racial equity and justice.

Free Press Editor Amy Kroin spoke to Misty in honor of Free Press’ 20th anniversary to reflect on her trajectory and influence. Read the interview on the blog.

Other Updates

• Earlier this month, Free Press’ Amy Kroin wrote the latest edition of View from the Field — a monthly feature highlighting the efforts of Free Press’ team of organizers and advocates. Check it out.
• Need a refresher on Net Neutrality? In a must-read blog post, Free Press Senior Director of Strategy and Communications Timothy Karr broke down the corporate-backed myths and realities of this issue. Learn more.
• North Carolina Republicans are creating a “Secret Police Force” — the euphemistically named “Gov Ops.” And it’s a civil-liberties disaster waiting to happen. Free Press’ Nora Benavidez spoke about it with The Daily Beast. Learn more.

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