Craig Aaron
@notaaroncraig.bsky.social
Co-CEO of Free Press and Free Press Action and guy with two first names
freepress.net
(No, not *The* Bari Weiss one. We love journalism, democracy and public media!)
Subscribe to my Pressing Issues newsletter: https://pressingissues.org/
freepress.net
(No, not *The* Bari Weiss one. We love journalism, democracy and public media!)
Subscribe to my Pressing Issues newsletter: https://pressingissues.org/
Pinned
Stop the Merger Madness
Rule No. 1 when big deals get announced: Don’t believe the hype
pressingissues.org
The history of media mega-mergers is all lies, broken promises and strategic blunders. Merger madness only leads to disaster.
Netflix may have won the bidding war. But the losers in these deals are always creators, writers, workers and the rest of us sitting in the audience.
New Pressing Issues!
Netflix may have won the bidding war. But the losers in these deals are always creators, writers, workers and the rest of us sitting in the audience.
New Pressing Issues!
Reposted by Craig Aaron
So is this personal liberties, or is it free markets…?
The Washington Post editorial board comes out in favor of the Venezuela attack/operation to capture Maduro
January 3, 2026 at 7:07 PM
So is this personal liberties, or is it free markets…?
Reposted by Craig Aaron
Thanks @uccmediajustice.org, @newsguild.org, @nabetcwa.bsky.social & @publicknowledge.bsky.social for joining @freepress.bsky.social to stop this conglomerate merger.
Like I say when Brendan Carr talks about defending localism: these giant chains are local broadcasters like CVS is a local pharmacy.
Like I say when Brendan Carr talks about defending localism: these giant chains are local broadcasters like CVS is a local pharmacy.
Who needs champagne and parties when you can fight a broadcast merger instead?? 🍾🥂🎊🪩
Just filed at the FCC, on the NYE due date. (Thanks Brendan!) Our formal Petition to Deny the broadcast behemoth merger between Nexstar (of Jimmy Kimmel infamy) and TEGNA.
www.freepress.net/news/labor-u...
Just filed at the FCC, on the NYE due date. (Thanks Brendan!) Our formal Petition to Deny the broadcast behemoth merger between Nexstar (of Jimmy Kimmel infamy) and TEGNA.
www.freepress.net/news/labor-u...
Labor Unions and Media Justice Groups File Petition Urging the FCC to Reject Nexstar’s Proposed Takeover of Tegna
On Wednesday, a coalition of media-justice groups and labor unions petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to deny the merger of Nexstar Media Inc. with TEGNA Inc.
www.freepress.net
January 1, 2026 at 1:16 AM
Thanks @uccmediajustice.org, @newsguild.org, @nabetcwa.bsky.social & @publicknowledge.bsky.social for joining @freepress.bsky.social to stop this conglomerate merger.
Like I say when Brendan Carr talks about defending localism: these giant chains are local broadcasters like CVS is a local pharmacy.
Like I say when Brendan Carr talks about defending localism: these giant chains are local broadcasters like CVS is a local pharmacy.
Must-read: @attorneynora.bsky.social of @freepress.bsky.social in the Times on the Trump regime’s “relentless campaign to stifle dissent,” which is “meant to overwhelm us and make us think twice about exercising our rights.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...
Opinion | I Counted Trump’s Censorship Attempts. Here’s What I Found.
www.nytimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Must-read: @attorneynora.bsky.social of @freepress.bsky.social in the Times on the Trump regime’s “relentless campaign to stifle dissent,” which is “meant to overwhelm us and make us think twice about exercising our rights.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...
Reposted by Craig Aaron
"This has never been about politics. What it has been about is companies that simply do not want to be held accountable and, because of the influence of big money in Washington, are corrupting the system and trying to bend it to their will."
Our CEO @imranahmed.bsky.social in @theguardian.com 👇
Our CEO @imranahmed.bsky.social in @theguardian.com 👇
UK campaigner targeted by Trump accuses tech giants of ‘sociopathic greed’
Exclusive: Imran Ahmed says US companies are ‘corrupting the system’ of politics by seeking to avoid accountability
www.theguardian.com
December 28, 2025 at 12:40 PM
"This has never been about politics. What it has been about is companies that simply do not want to be held accountable and, because of the influence of big money in Washington, are corrupting the system and trying to bend it to their will."
Our CEO @imranahmed.bsky.social in @theguardian.com 👇
Our CEO @imranahmed.bsky.social in @theguardian.com 👇
Reposted by Craig Aaron
The US "banned 5 people from entering the country because it doesn’t like their speech. This ban, according to the State Dept, is necessary to protect free speech. If that sounds insane to you, congratulations on your reading comprehension."
Good piece about something bad, by @mmasnick.bsky.social.
Good piece about something bad, by @mmasnick.bsky.social.
Opinion | Marco Rubio is using real censorship to fight fake censorship
Mike Masnick: In the name of protecting free speech, the U.S. government just banned five Europeans from entering the country because it doesn’t like their speech.
www.ms.now
December 27, 2025 at 9:10 PM
The US "banned 5 people from entering the country because it doesn’t like their speech. This ban, according to the State Dept, is necessary to protect free speech. If that sounds insane to you, congratulations on your reading comprehension."
Good piece about something bad, by @mmasnick.bsky.social.
Good piece about something bad, by @mmasnick.bsky.social.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
And… TRO granted!
A sweet Christmas present for @imranahmed.bsky.social, @counterhate.com--& for their mission of fighting antisemitism & protecting kids online. Also nice for our all-star legal team.
A lump of coal in the stockings of authoritarians & the merchants of disinformation
A sweet Christmas present for @imranahmed.bsky.social, @counterhate.com--& for their mission of fighting antisemitism & protecting kids online. Also nice for our all-star legal team.
A lump of coal in the stockings of authoritarians & the merchants of disinformation
December 25, 2025 at 4:17 PM
And… TRO granted!
A sweet Christmas present for @imranahmed.bsky.social, @counterhate.com--& for their mission of fighting antisemitism & protecting kids online. Also nice for our all-star legal team.
A lump of coal in the stockings of authoritarians & the merchants of disinformation
A sweet Christmas present for @imranahmed.bsky.social, @counterhate.com--& for their mission of fighting antisemitism & protecting kids online. Also nice for our all-star legal team.
A lump of coal in the stockings of authoritarians & the merchants of disinformation
“Chilling and unconstitutional” — @attorneynora.bsky.social @freepress.bsky.social
U.S. Bars 5 European Tech Regulators and Researchers
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:47 AM
“Chilling and unconstitutional” — @attorneynora.bsky.social @freepress.bsky.social
Just an absolutely egregious abuse of power.
This is a serious escalation of the supposed war against “censorship”: in the name of free speech, five people are now having their visas revoked and are facing deportation.
This is a narrative Bari Weiss’s Free Press was heavily involved in pushing, too.
This is a narrative Bari Weiss’s Free Press was heavily involved in pushing, too.
The US State Department is now going to be deporting people and/or revoking visas over Benz, Taibbi, and Shellenberger’s “censorship industrial complex” hoax.
Let that sink in. This is what the Twitter Files pretext was actually about. Water boys for authoritarians.
www.state.gov/releases/off...
Let that sink in. This is what the Twitter Files pretext was actually about. Water boys for authoritarians.
www.state.gov/releases/off...
December 23, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Just an absolutely egregious abuse of power.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
The 60 Minutes team has much to learn about the rigor and craft that drives investigative journalism.
by David Ellison and Bari Weiss
by David Ellison and Bari Weiss
December 22, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The 60 Minutes team has much to learn about the rigor and craft that drives investigative journalism.
by David Ellison and Bari Weiss
by David Ellison and Bari Weiss
Seems like a good day to mention @freepress.bsky.social is not *The* Free Press
Unlike the new Paramount/CBS overlords, we love investigative journalism, public media + speaking truth to power. We hate censorship, corruption + bullies
No better time to support Free Press and not The other guys
Unlike the new Paramount/CBS overlords, we love investigative journalism, public media + speaking truth to power. We hate censorship, corruption + bullies
No better time to support Free Press and not The other guys
Double Your Impact Before 12/31
Make a gift that will go 2x as far
act.freepress.net
December 22, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Seems like a good day to mention @freepress.bsky.social is not *The* Free Press
Unlike the new Paramount/CBS overlords, we love investigative journalism, public media + speaking truth to power. We hate censorship, corruption + bullies
No better time to support Free Press and not The other guys
Unlike the new Paramount/CBS overlords, we love investigative journalism, public media + speaking truth to power. We hate censorship, corruption + bullies
No better time to support Free Press and not The other guys
Great AP reporting here on what happened at KCBS after FCC’s Brendan Carr threatened the station. Anchors demoted, stories spiked, shameless corporate censorship and capitulation.
How an AM radio station in California weathered the Trump administration's assault on media
Six days into President Donald Trump's new administration, the San Francisco Bay-area radio station KCBS-AM and other outlets reported on local immigration raids.
apnews.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Great AP reporting here on what happened at KCBS after FCC’s Brendan Carr threatened the station. Anchors demoted, stories spiked, shameless corporate censorship and capitulation.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
When @wired.com made FOIA-based stories free, subscriptions went up.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
Wired and 404 Media make FOIA reporting free. Other news outlets should too
We spoke to Katie Drummond of Wired, Joseph Cox of 404 Media, and Lauren Harper of Freedom of the Press Foundation about the case for unpaywalling public records-based reporting
freedom.press
October 30, 2025 at 5:35 PM
When @wired.com made FOIA-based stories free, subscriptions went up.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
When @404media.co published public records reporting without a paywall, new sources came forward.
We spoke to both about why dropping paywalls like this is good for journalism — and for business.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
40 editions of PressingIssues.org!
After a near-impossible year, we’re lucky to have incredible allies and independent journalists who refuse to cower and capitulate.
So I asked a bunch of colleagues and contributors to share the work of some of their favorite muckrackers and good troublemakers.
Last Pressing Issues of 2025!
So I asked a bunch of colleagues and contributors to share the work of some of their favorite muckrackers and good troublemakers.
Last Pressing Issues of 2025!
Pressing Issues Holiday Gift Guide
We’ve (almost) made it to the end of 2025. And we couldn’t have done it without a little help from our friends and favorite writers.
pressingissues.org
December 20, 2025 at 2:09 AM
40 editions of PressingIssues.org!
After a near-impossible year, we’re lucky to have incredible allies and independent journalists who refuse to cower and capitulate.
So I asked a bunch of colleagues and contributors to share the work of some of their favorite muckrackers and good troublemakers.
Last Pressing Issues of 2025!
So I asked a bunch of colleagues and contributors to share the work of some of their favorite muckrackers and good troublemakers.
Last Pressing Issues of 2025!
Pressing Issues Holiday Gift Guide
We’ve (almost) made it to the end of 2025. And we couldn’t have done it without a little help from our friends and favorite writers.
pressingissues.org
December 19, 2025 at 8:19 PM
After a near-impossible year, we’re lucky to have incredible allies and independent journalists who refuse to cower and capitulate.
So I asked a bunch of colleagues and contributors to share the work of some of their favorite muckrackers and good troublemakers.
Last Pressing Issues of 2025!
So I asked a bunch of colleagues and contributors to share the work of some of their favorite muckrackers and good troublemakers.
Last Pressing Issues of 2025!
Paramount’s main argument is “we’ll fire more workers” and “Trump likes us more.” Netflix’s primary talking point is “Hey, at least we’re not Paramount,” which so far is winning over those who stand to make out like Scrooge McDuck if the deal goes through.
So what’s in it for you?
So what’s in it for you?
Merger Madness and How to Stop It
The only people who stand to benefit from the Warner Bros. Discovery merger are the bankers, lawyers and money-swimming Scrooge McDucks — plus Donald Trump.
www.freepress.net
December 19, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Paramount’s main argument is “we’ll fire more workers” and “Trump likes us more.” Netflix’s primary talking point is “Hey, at least we’re not Paramount,” which so far is winning over those who stand to make out like Scrooge McDuck if the deal goes through.
So what’s in it for you?
So what’s in it for you?
Read this by @mathewingram.com before banning social media for teens.
tl;dr: Don't legislate based on Jon Haidt.
tl;dr: Don't legislate based on Jon Haidt.
We should help teens with social media not ban them from it
Australia recently became the first country in the world to ban kids under 16 from using social media — the result of a law that was passed last year but didn't take effect until this month — but it i...
torment-nexus.mathewingram.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Read this by @mathewingram.com before banning social media for teens.
tl;dr: Don't legislate based on Jon Haidt.
tl;dr: Don't legislate based on Jon Haidt.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
I recall that over a decade ago, @barackobama.bsky.social put out a vaguely favorable statement regarding net neutrality, and the Ajit Pai/Brendan Carr folks in the FCC absolutely lost their minds, screaming "WE'RE AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY, HOW DARE HE TRY TO INFLUENCE US."
And guess what?
The FCC immediately changed the website to state that the agency is not independent right after Carr's comments!
The FCC immediately changed the website to state that the agency is not independent right after Carr's comments!
December 17, 2025 at 6:27 PM
I recall that over a decade ago, @barackobama.bsky.social put out a vaguely favorable statement regarding net neutrality, and the Ajit Pai/Brendan Carr folks in the FCC absolutely lost their minds, screaming "WE'RE AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY, HOW DARE HE TRY TO INFLUENCE US."
When you’re facing (highly accurate) accusations of being a government censor … this is one way to go.
A Dem senator pressed Trump's FCC Chair, Brendan Carr, on the agency's independence at a hearing today, noting it says "independent" right on the FCC website.
Minutes later, with the hearing still going on, the website updated. The word "independent" was gone. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Minutes later, with the hearing still going on, the website updated. The word "independent" was gone. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Brendan Carr said the FCC isn’t independent. Its website quickly updated.
The Federal Communications Commission chairman faced questioning over the agency’s role in pressuring media companies and its independence from the president.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:59 AM
When you’re facing (highly accurate) accusations of being a government censor … this is one way to go.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
tired: a federal moratorium blocking states from regulating AI
wired: local moratoriums blocking tech companies' AI-fueled resource grabs
me for @techpolicypress.bsky.social with a big thanks to the folks I talked to and everyone in these fights across the US
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-rac...
wired: local moratoriums blocking tech companies' AI-fueled resource grabs
me for @techpolicypress.bsky.social with a big thanks to the folks I talked to and everyone in these fights across the US
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-rac...
The Real Race for an AI Moratorium: Stopping Data Centers | TechPolicy.Press
Cities and counties across the US are pulling the emergency brake on data center development, writes Jenna Ruddock.
www.techpolicy.press
December 17, 2025 at 10:41 PM
tired: a federal moratorium blocking states from regulating AI
wired: local moratoriums blocking tech companies' AI-fueled resource grabs
me for @techpolicypress.bsky.social with a big thanks to the folks I talked to and everyone in these fights across the US
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-rac...
wired: local moratoriums blocking tech companies' AI-fueled resource grabs
me for @techpolicypress.bsky.social with a big thanks to the folks I talked to and everyone in these fights across the US
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-rac...
How dare you call us the Federal Censorship Commission?
During questioning, FCC Chair Brendan Carr was asked whether the FCC is an independent agency. Sen. Luján specifically cited the FCC website calling it “independent.”
I took a screenshot of the site at 11:54 am
I took another at 12:22 pm and the word “independent” was gone.
#FCCOversight
I took a screenshot of the site at 11:54 am
I took another at 12:22 pm and the word “independent” was gone.
#FCCOversight
December 17, 2025 at 5:56 PM
How dare you call us the Federal Censorship Commission?
Reposted by Craig Aaron
KIM: I want to read you a quote & see if you agree with it. 'Congress long ago determined that the FCC is an independent expert agency.' Is that correct?
CARR: Senator, there has been a sea change in the law & approach since I wrote that sentence
KIM: Yes you did. You said it in front of Congress
CARR: Senator, there has been a sea change in the law & approach since I wrote that sentence
KIM: Yes you did. You said it in front of Congress
December 17, 2025 at 5:09 PM
KIM: I want to read you a quote & see if you agree with it. 'Congress long ago determined that the FCC is an independent expert agency.' Is that correct?
CARR: Senator, there has been a sea change in the law & approach since I wrote that sentence
KIM: Yes you did. You said it in front of Congress
CARR: Senator, there has been a sea change in the law & approach since I wrote that sentence
KIM: Yes you did. You said it in front of Congress
Simple question from @lujan.senate.gov: "Is the FCC an independent agency?"
FCC's Carr: "The FCC is not an independent agency."
Trusty: "I have not seen the FCC website."
Gomez (correctly): "Yes, and it should be."
FCC's Carr: "The FCC is not an independent agency."
Trusty: "I have not seen the FCC website."
Gomez (correctly): "Yes, and it should be."
December 17, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Simple question from @lujan.senate.gov: "Is the FCC an independent agency?"
FCC's Carr: "The FCC is not an independent agency."
Trusty: "I have not seen the FCC website."
Gomez (correctly): "Yes, and it should be."
FCC's Carr: "The FCC is not an independent agency."
Trusty: "I have not seen the FCC website."
Gomez (correctly): "Yes, and it should be."
Reposted by Craig Aaron
Dept. of Comedy Regulation.
SCHATZ: You think you have jurisdiction over political satire?
FCC CHAIR BRENDAN CARR: My positio---
SCHATZ: It's a yes or no
BRENDAN CARR: We have jurisdiction with respect the broadcast airwaves to ensure their operations are int he public interest
(That's a yes!)
FCC CHAIR BRENDAN CARR: My positio---
SCHATZ: It's a yes or no
BRENDAN CARR: We have jurisdiction with respect the broadcast airwaves to ensure their operations are int he public interest
(That's a yes!)
December 17, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Dept. of Comedy Regulation.
The Senate oversight hearing is heating up. @markey.senate.gov to FCC's Brendan Carr: "You have turned the FCC into the Federal Censorship Commission. ... You should resign."
December 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM
The Senate oversight hearing is heating up. @markey.senate.gov to FCC's Brendan Carr: "You have turned the FCC into the Federal Censorship Commission. ... You should resign."
Trump/Carr FCC is moving to allow more local TV mergers -- starting with the ludicrous Nexstar-Tegna deal. Senators conducting oversight might be interested in this polling by @nhmc.bsky.social showing just how unpopular media consolidation is.
www.nhmc.org/new-national...
www.nhmc.org/new-national...
December 17, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Trump/Carr FCC is moving to allow more local TV mergers -- starting with the ludicrous Nexstar-Tegna deal. Senators conducting oversight might be interested in this polling by @nhmc.bsky.social showing just how unpopular media consolidation is.
www.nhmc.org/new-national...
www.nhmc.org/new-national...