Public News Service

Research showed between 10% and 30% of county residents in the state of New York had a dual-use special-need plan in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

NY senior advocates see advantages to dual-use special needs plans

Senior and older adult advocates in New York find certain healthcare plans are helping people get the best bang for their buck. Dual-eligible …

According to U.S. Census data, 30% of all New Yorkers speak a primary language other than English at home. (Adobe Stock)

NY Bill Aims to Grow Outreach via Community Media

New York lawmakers are considering a bill to broaden statewide outreach through local media. The Local Community and Ethnic Media Commitment Act …

Hurricane Ida broke New York City's single-hour rainfall record, at 3.15 inches - part of the pattern of more frequent and severe downpours which scientists say is a symptom of global warming. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Most TV Coverage of Hurricane Ida Lacked Ties to Climate Change

NEW YORK -- New research suggests corporate and cable TV news outlets failed to contextualize more frequent and extreme weather events to global warmi…

Without net neutrality, ISPs can slow down or charge customers more for certain types of content. (JESHOOTS/Pixabay)

Cuomo Commits NY to Net Neutrality

New York – Gov. Andrew Cuomo took action on Wednesday to preserve open internet access in the state of New York. The governor signed an …

A win in federal court for consumers, say advocates of net neutrality. (Greg Stotelmyer)

Federal Court Backs FCC's Treatment of Internet as Utility

WHITESBURG, Ky. – A federal court has upheld the Federal Communication Commission's decision to treat the Internet like a utility – a …

PHOTO: Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to meet with lawmakers and other state officials to come up with a new policy for retaining official email, following controversy over his own practice of purging email messages after 90 days. Photo credit: Diana Robinson/Creative Commons.

Cuomo Eyes New Email Policy After Purging Controversy

NEW YORK - Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to meet with lawmakers and other state officials to come up with a new policy for retaining official email …

PHOTO: Television viewers may find public TV stations serving diverse communities in their markets disappearing in a $45 billion gold rush by wireless providers bidding in a government auction of broadcasting spectrum. Photo credit: M. Scheerer.

The Airwaves: For Public TV or Internet Interests?

NEW YORK – As the song goes, "Video Killed the Radio Star." Will wireless kill some free public TV? That's the latest media question…

GRAPHIC: The frustrating indicator of a slow download, known by many computer users as the spinning wheel of death, will be seen all over the Internet today. It's a symbolic protest of government plans to create online fast lanes and slow lanes. Graphic courtesy FreePress.org.

Internet “Slowdown” Today – Maybe Every Day?

NEW YORK - The Internet may seem to be slowing down today - but it's actually part of an effort to prevent a future where, according to Internet …

PHOTO: Graham Nash, of Crosby Stills and Nash, fears America has been divided into a nation of

Graham Nash's Reproachful Refrain for America

NEW YORK - "It's time for a revolution," says Graham Nash, of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, who fears for an America that's become divided into "haves …

GRAPHIC: The media watchdog group Public Knowledge uses an octopus metaphor in its opposition to media mergers such as the proposed Comcast takeover of Time Warner. Image credit: Public Knowledge.

Media Merger Madness: What’s In It For You?

NEW YORK - Comcast wants to acquire Time Warner Cable; they're the two biggest cable TV companies. T-Mobile and Sprint - the third- and fourth-…

PHOTO: Consumer advocates say an FCC proposal for Internet fast lanes could slow down the Web for more than 60 percent of New Yorkers who use the Internet to download videos. Photo Credit @mlcliff

New Yorkers Don’t Want to Be Left in Internet Fast-Lane Dust

NEW YORK – It's a proposal pending before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that would create fast lines on the Internet and new data …

GRAPHIC: A map showing the variety of ways and locations local governments have invested in wired telecommunications networks. Advocates say communities and nonprofits offer competition to private-sector cable and fiber-optic companies. Photo credit: Community Broadband Networks.

High-Speed Broadband: The Public-Private Debate

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - High-speed Internet networks operated by municipalities and nonprofits are fighting a pitched battle against the Comcasts and …

GRAPHIC: A poster calls for opponents of the FCC's proposed rule change on net neutrality to rally at the agency today. Credit: Free Press.

"Marginal Voices" To Speak Loudly at FCC Today

NEW YORK – Internet freedom advocates are calling for a day of action today at the Federal Communications Commission. Internet fast lanes are …

PHOTO: A Queens real estate agency advertising property for sale in Colombia. Colombian immigrants in New York and other states are finding their dream of owning a home is out of reach after 20 or 30 years of working in America, and are heading back to retire in Latin America. Photo courtesy Feet in 2 Worlds.

American Dream (Home) Fading for Some NY Colombians

NEW YORK – Some long-held notions about immigrants in the U.S. are being turned on their head, as more Colombian immigrants in New York and …

PHOTO: FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, seen here (top left) at a meeting in January in Oakland, has signaled his support for rules that may threaten net neutrality by allowing broadband service to some companies at higher speed for higher prices. A pushback by opponents is forming quickly. Photo credit: Mark Scheerer.

Free Internet Setback? Net Neutrality Defenders Plan Pushback

NEW YORK – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler has signaled his intention to allow broadband Internet service providers such …

PHOTO: Newly-appointed FCC Commissioner Tom Wheeler, shown here at a town hall meeting in Oakland, Calif., last week, says his agency may appeal a federal court ruling overturning regulations aimed at ensuring 'net neutrality.' Photo credit: Mark Scheerer.

Advocates for Internet Freedom say Appeals Court Strikes "Huge Blow"

WASHINGTON - In what's being called a "huge blow to all Internet users," a federal court ruled Tuesday in favor of Verizon, striking down Federal …

PHOTO: Google Glass (above), although not yet available to the general public, joins smart watches, wrist phones and all kinds of wearable cell phones and digital devices as highly desirable consumer products with the approach of the holiday season. Scientists are issuing health warnings, however. Courtesy Wikipedia.org.

Wearing Your Smartphone – Not Too Smart?

NEW YORK - Wearable phones and computers are on loads of shopping lists as the holiday season approaches, but scientists are warning that research …

GRAPHIC: A federal court this week heard arguments in a case that some say could lead to the end of

Next Threat to Internet: Fast Lanes for $ome?

NEW YORK - A federal appeals court heard arguments this week from Verizon, which would benefit if it and other Internet service providers could start …

GRAPHIC: The FCC will vote today on a proposal to roll back the high rates that telephone companies charge for prison inmates to make and receive calls. Courtesy Colorlines.com

All Ears On The FCC – Voting Today on Prison Phone Price Gouging

NEW YORK – All ears will be on the Federal Communications Commission today, as the FCC votes on a proposal to roll back the high rates that …

Parts of Fire Island which were heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy seven months ago will have copper telephone lines replaced by a wireless phone service offered by Verizon. Consumer advocates say it�s unfair to make victims of natural disasters unwilling �beta testers� for new technology. Photo credit: Christopher Ragazzo/FEMA<br />

Sandy Victims “Guinea Pigs” in Verizon Plan?

FIRE ISLAND, N.Y. – Verizon, one of the nation's largest phone companies, is planning to replace traditional phone lines destroyed by Hurricane …

GRAPHIC: Children � and adults � are urged to resist the tantalizing images on entertainment screens for one week, starting April 29. Courtesy CCFC.

Fewer Screens, More “Free-Range Children”

PLAINVIEW, N.Y. - This is Screen-Free Week, an annual effort by children's advocates to get kids free from the grip of electronic devices, even if …

PHOTO: Panelists discussing threats to Internet freedom at the National Conference for Media Reform included Brooklyn�s Elizabeth Stark (center), who warned of the latest government and corporate threats to Internet Freedom. Courtesy Mark Scheerer.

Corralling the Internet: NY Advocates Fight Back

NEW YORK - The National Conference for Media Reform brought together thousands of policymakers, advocates and tech experts who spent three days …

PHOTO: Consumer advocates say land-line phones are still used widely, especially by seniors and those in rural areas, but telecom companies are pushing Internet-based alternatives which are much less regulated. Courtesy Mark Scheerer.

Land Lines – Endangered Phone Species?

NEW YORK - Millions of consumers have cancelled their old land-line telephone service and replaced it with wireless phones. However, many seniors and …

Jail Break? FCC Moves on Prison Phone Call Gouging

NEW YORK - In a move at the very end of the year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken a step toward examining the high prices …

PHOTO: Derek (Omari Hardwick) is visited in prison by his wife Ruby (Emayatzy Corinealdi) in �Middle of Nowhere.� Courtesy African American Film Festival Releasing Movement

Film Fights Prison Phone Price-Gouging

NEW YORK - In the new movie Middle of Nowhere, a wrenching story unfolds amid the hardships endured by those outside as they try to support loved …

PHOTO Digital Freedom panel discussion at Commit!Forum2012, October 3. Courtesy Mark Scheerer

An Internet, “If You Can Keep It”

NEW YORK - Founding Father Benjamin Franklin is said to have answered a question about what kind of rule the Constitutional Convention of 1787 had cre…

Media reform group Free Press is promoting

New Yorkers Signing on to Internet Freedom

NEW YORK - They're calling this "The Summer of Internet Freedom," and backers of a worldwide movement to establish a Declaration of Internet Freedom a…

Phone Company Fights FBI to Protect Customers' Records

NEW YORK - It's a story that's hard to tell. A phone company is taking the rare step of challenging a request for customer records, saying the FBI is …

Disney Junk Food Ban – A Dream Come True?

NEW YORK - The announcement by the Walt Disney Co. that it would ban junk food advertising on its children's programs and networks is being hailed by …

Internet Freedom Worries Pivot to Privacy Concerns

NEW YORK - A bill before Congress aimed at enhancing cyber-security could leave personal information exposed to government and corporate misuse…

The Threat to NY High-Speed Internet Access

NEW YORK - Consumer groups in New York and around the country say a spectrum deal between Verizon and a group of cable companies known as SpectrumCo -…

A Day of Internet Censorship Protests, Online and Off

NEW YORK - Hundreds of Internet technology workers protested Wednesday outside the offices of Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, who …

Groups: Consumers Win When AT&T Drops Merger Plan

NEW YORK - First. the Justice Department filed suit to stop it. Then the Federal Communications Commission moved to block it. In the end, AT&T this …

Battle Over "Internet Censorship" Bills Heats Up

NEW YORK - Is it simply a way to crack down on the pirating of music and movies, or a measure that could lead to online censorship and the end of …

Net Neutrality and Occupy Wall Street – Making A Connection

CHICAGO - The U.S. Senate may vote this week on overturning Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules aimed at guaranteeing an open Internet…

New York News Media: Color Blind?

NEW YORK - Collaboration may be the key when it comes to getting more balanced news coverage of immigrants' issues in New York - that's the premise of…

Justice Department Hangs Up on AT&T T-Mobile Merger

NEW YORK - Consumer groups are hailing the decision by the Justice Department to go to court to block the merger of AT&T and T-Mobile on anti-trust gr…

Is "Job-Killing" AT&T T-Mobile Merger a Dropped Call?

NEW YORK - Experts may differ over the exact number, but if AT&T is allowed to swallow up T-Mobile and become the largest cellphone service provider …

An Urban Radio Renaissance?

NEW YORK - Urban radio markets are about to play catch-up with rural areas. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expected to issue new …

Should AT&T Merge with T-Mobile?

ALBANY, N.Y. - The planned merger of AT&T and T-Mobile is generating more concern, as New York joins two other states in urging caution. The …

Microsoft Skype: What's In It For Customers?

Microsoft is ponying up $8.5 billion to buy Skype with its user base of 170 million people. Microsoft plans to integrate Skype's video and voice …

Report: Slow Going Internet Access "Cripples" Rural Economies

WATERTOWN, N.Y. - Without broadband Internet access, rural communities will be economically hobbled, warns a new report. However, portions of rural …

It's Screen-Free Week – Dare You Look Away?

NEW YORK - Turn off your tablet, step away from the computer and pull the plug on the TV. New Yorkers are being challenged to do that for a week in a …

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NY: Media Reform