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
Craig Aaron
@notaaroncraig.bsky.social
· Sep 26
"Trump's war on free speech is no joke—and it's not over. Carr threatened the licenses of ABC affiliates with mafia-like threats because his boss in the White House didn't like Kimmel's views, a chilling violation that would've forced previous FCC chairs to resign." - @notaaroncraig.bsky.social
'The Fight Doesn’t End Here': Despite Kimmel's Return, Accountability Demanded for Trump's FCC Chair, Media Execs | Common Dreams
Despite Jimmy Kimmel's return to the air, advocates say the fight against the Trump administration's war on dissent "doesn’t end here." They called for investigations into FCC chair Brendan Carr and the media executives who caved to his censorship demands.
www.commondreams.org
Your pressure made Disney, Sinclair and Nexstar back down. But don’t let up. They’re still pushing for deals that will let them get bigger and swallow up more stations. And don’t let them rewrite what happened either. We all saw the coercion and censorship with our own eyes.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
I think we see once again how ordinary citizens are grappling better with this situation than sundry political and business elites. the jury pretty clearly was like "this is bullshit" www.lawfaremedia.org/article/sand...
Sandwich Guy, Thrower of Hoagie–Or Hero?
The trial ended in an acquittal. But the proceedings felt like a strange sort of performance art—highly amusing and highly menacing at the same time.
www.lawfaremedia.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I think we see once again how ordinary citizens are grappling better with this situation than sundry political and business elites. the jury pretty clearly was like "this is bullshit" www.lawfaremedia.org/article/sand...
Reposted by Craig Aaron
To understand how we've gotten so close to rising authoritarianism and a crumbling Fourth Estate, Sunday's 60 Minutes interview with Trump tells you everything you need to know.
@notaaroncraig.bsky.social explains how we reclaim the airwaves.
READ: https://pressingissues.org/good-night-and-wtf/
@notaaroncraig.bsky.social explains how we reclaim the airwaves.
READ: https://pressingissues.org/good-night-and-wtf/
November 5, 2025 at 2:59 PM
To understand how we've gotten so close to rising authoritarianism and a crumbling Fourth Estate, Sunday's 60 Minutes interview with Trump tells you everything you need to know.
@notaaroncraig.bsky.social explains how we reclaim the airwaves.
READ: https://pressingissues.org/good-night-and-wtf/
@notaaroncraig.bsky.social explains how we reclaim the airwaves.
READ: https://pressingissues.org/good-night-and-wtf/
Reposted by Craig Aaron
Tbh I'm not even mad about 'On Your Marx, get set, Zo!'
November 5, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Tbh I'm not even mad about 'On Your Marx, get set, Zo!'
Reposted by Craig Aaron
New Pressing Issues: 60 Minutes, the death of hypocrisy, plus Andy Rooney!
Toss a few softballs, avoid fact checking and provide a little sane-washing of Trump’s more unhinged rants, and you can apparently do all the editing you want. You might even get a multibillion-dollar merger out of it.
Toss a few softballs, avoid fact checking and provide a little sane-washing of Trump’s more unhinged rants, and you can apparently do all the editing you want. You might even get a multibillion-dollar merger out of it.
Good Night and WTF?
Under the new rules of corporate journalism, editing is only a crime when it makes Trump look bad
pressingissues.org
November 4, 2025 at 9:28 PM
New Pressing Issues: 60 Minutes, the death of hypocrisy, plus Andy Rooney!
Toss a few softballs, avoid fact checking and provide a little sane-washing of Trump’s more unhinged rants, and you can apparently do all the editing you want. You might even get a multibillion-dollar merger out of it.
Toss a few softballs, avoid fact checking and provide a little sane-washing of Trump’s more unhinged rants, and you can apparently do all the editing you want. You might even get a multibillion-dollar merger out of it.
Uh oh, the FCC Chairman is podcasting again.
Brendan Carr’s supposed efforts to “reinvigorate the public-interest standard” are really about bullying timid media executives and transforming their newsrooms into Trump mouthpieces.
New Pressing Issues out now! Subscribe!
Brendan Carr’s supposed efforts to “reinvigorate the public-interest standard” are really about bullying timid media executives and transforming their newsrooms into Trump mouthpieces.
New Pressing Issues out now! Subscribe!
Uh Oh, the FCC Chairman Is Podcasting Again
To Brendan Carr, the ‘public interest standard’ means whatever helps King Trump
pressingissues.org
October 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Uh oh, the FCC Chairman is podcasting again.
Brendan Carr’s supposed efforts to “reinvigorate the public-interest standard” are really about bullying timid media executives and transforming their newsrooms into Trump mouthpieces.
New Pressing Issues out now! Subscribe!
Brendan Carr’s supposed efforts to “reinvigorate the public-interest standard” are really about bullying timid media executives and transforming their newsrooms into Trump mouthpieces.
New Pressing Issues out now! Subscribe!
The great @timkarr.bsky.social explores why our nation's legacy media outlets are so allergic to covering protests in the newest edition of Pressing Issues.
pressingissues.org/to-the-natio...
(You'd already know how great this piece is if you were a subscriber!)
pressingissues.org/to-the-natio...
(You'd already know how great this piece is if you were a subscriber!)
To the Nation’s Dominant Media, No Kings Means No Coverage
Why many legacy media outfits are allergic to protest reporting
pressingissues.org
October 21, 2025 at 8:06 PM
The great @timkarr.bsky.social explores why our nation's legacy media outlets are so allergic to covering protests in the newest edition of Pressing Issues.
pressingissues.org/to-the-natio...
(You'd already know how great this piece is if you were a subscriber!)
pressingissues.org/to-the-natio...
(You'd already know how great this piece is if you were a subscriber!)
You should just go ahead and stick this on a yellow banner above the door like Ted Lasso in every Democratic office: "The largest mass protest in American history was called No Kings, not No Health Insurance Premium Increases."
Many of my liberal peers see clearly how mainstream outlets have ruined their already imperiled businesses by capitulating to bad-faith right-wing criticism. They have a harder time seeing that the Democratic Party has fallen victim to the same kind of self-sabotage.
Democrats Fell Prey To The Same Toxic Dynamics That Destroyed Mainstream News
Instead of fighting smears, they appeased the smear merchants.
www.offmessage.net
October 20, 2025 at 5:04 PM
You should just go ahead and stick this on a yellow banner above the door like Ted Lasso in every Democratic office: "The largest mass protest in American history was called No Kings, not No Health Insurance Premium Increases."
Reposted by Craig Aaron
"OpenAI has subpoenaed a wide range of nonprofits that have been critical of the company’s controversial for-profit restructuring. ... But in practice, recipients and legal experts say, they seem more like a campaign of intimidation with very real costs." www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
These nonprofits lobbied to regulate OpenAI — then the subpoenas came
OpenAI’s legal battle with Elon Musk has caught company critics in the crossfire.
www.theverge.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:31 PM
"OpenAI has subpoenaed a wide range of nonprofits that have been critical of the company’s controversial for-profit restructuring. ... But in practice, recipients and legal experts say, they seem more like a campaign of intimidation with very real costs." www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
Reposted by Craig Aaron
America As No-Longer-Democracy and Not-Yet-Dictatorship
Where does the country stand after the largest day of protest in U.S. history? Putting “No Kings” in perspective.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
Where does the country stand after the largest day of protest in U.S. history? Putting “No Kings” in perspective.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
America As No-Longer-Democracy and Not-Yet-Dictatorship
Where does the country stand after the largest day of protest in U.S. history? Putting “No Kings” in perspective
steady.page
October 20, 2025 at 1:25 PM
America As No-Longer-Democracy and Not-Yet-Dictatorship
Where does the country stand after the largest day of protest in U.S. history? Putting “No Kings” in perspective.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
Where does the country stand after the largest day of protest in U.S. history? Putting “No Kings” in perspective.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
Reposted by Craig Aaron
As millions of Americans prepare to take the streets to peaceably assemble at #NoKings protests tomorrow, I take on the GOP’s mounting threats to this core constitutional right.
Free Press Co-CEO @jgo4justice.bsky.social has a powerful piece on how GOP leaders are criminalizing protests and portraying progressive activists as terrorists.
https://pressingissues.org/gop-escalates-opposition-to-peaceful-protest/
https://pressingissues.org/gop-escalates-opposition-to-peaceful-protest/
October 17, 2025 at 2:17 PM
As millions of Americans prepare to take the streets to peaceably assemble at #NoKings protests tomorrow, I take on the GOP’s mounting threats to this core constitutional right.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
Welcome @jgo4justice.bsky.social of @freepress.bsky.social to the growing list of PressingIssues.org contributors!
The GOP Escalates Opposition to Peaceful Protest
The GOP Escalates Opposition to Peaceful Protest
The GOP Escalates Opposition to Peaceful Protest
Republican leaders reveal blatant hypocrisy about mass dissent
pressingissues.org
October 17, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Welcome @jgo4justice.bsky.social of @freepress.bsky.social to the growing list of PressingIssues.org contributors!
The GOP Escalates Opposition to Peaceful Protest
The GOP Escalates Opposition to Peaceful Protest
Reposted by Craig Aaron
Less than 48 hours before protests kick off across the country on Saturday, the LAPD is [checks notes] begging a judge for permission to assault journalists without being held in contempt of court
laist.com/news/politic...
laist.com/news/politic...
LAPD wants judge to lift an order restricting use of force against the press
The police department filed an emergency order ahead of this Saturday's No Kings protest.
laist.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Less than 48 hours before protests kick off across the country on Saturday, the LAPD is [checks notes] begging a judge for permission to assault journalists without being held in contempt of court
laist.com/news/politic...
laist.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Craig Aaron
NEW for @washingtonpost.com:
Pentagon reporters exited the building in unison Wednesday after turning in their badges, having refused to sign the Defense Department's press policy.
@nancyayoussef.bsky.social called it a “sad day for those who support a free press.”
Pentagon reporters exited the building in unison Wednesday after turning in their badges, having refused to sign the Defense Department's press policy.
@nancyayoussef.bsky.social called it a “sad day for those who support a free press.”
Reporters leave Pentagon en masse after refusing to sign on to new rules
After turning in their press credentials, journalists covering the Defense Department walked out rather than comply with its restrictive new policies.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:14 PM
NEW for @washingtonpost.com:
Pentagon reporters exited the building in unison Wednesday after turning in their badges, having refused to sign the Defense Department's press policy.
@nancyayoussef.bsky.social called it a “sad day for those who support a free press.”
Pentagon reporters exited the building in unison Wednesday after turning in their badges, having refused to sign the Defense Department's press policy.
@nancyayoussef.bsky.social called it a “sad day for those who support a free press.”
Reposted by Craig Aaron
The Supreme Court’s majority right wing indicated in oral arguments that they think racism is over on the same day that the vice president defended the “I love Hitler” guy, and that the NYT reported that the current administration plans to accept only white, English-speaking refugees.
October 15, 2025 at 9:56 PM
The Supreme Court’s majority right wing indicated in oral arguments that they think racism is over on the same day that the vice president defended the “I love Hitler” guy, and that the NYT reported that the current administration plans to accept only white, English-speaking refugees.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
NEW @motherjones.com: Nobody in that GOP group chat praising Hitler or making racist comments was a “kid,” as JD Vance claimed today
I tracked down their ages. (Weirdly, it seems nobody else did.)
Eight of the 11 in the group chat range from 24 to 35. Ages of others are unclear.
But… no “kids”!
I tracked down their ages. (Weirdly, it seems nobody else did.)
Eight of the 11 in the group chat range from 24 to 35. Ages of others are unclear.
But… no “kids”!
No one in the GOP Hitler chat was a "kid"
We checked. Sorry, JD Vance.
www.motherjones.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:05 PM
NEW @motherjones.com: Nobody in that GOP group chat praising Hitler or making racist comments was a “kid,” as JD Vance claimed today
I tracked down their ages. (Weirdly, it seems nobody else did.)
Eight of the 11 in the group chat range from 24 to 35. Ages of others are unclear.
But… no “kids”!
I tracked down their ages. (Weirdly, it seems nobody else did.)
Eight of the 11 in the group chat range from 24 to 35. Ages of others are unclear.
But… no “kids”!
Reposted by Craig Aaron
Turns out your assumptions about what republican group chats are like is correct www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
‘I love Hitler’: Leaked messages expose Young Republicans’ racist chat
Thousands of private messages reveal young GOP leaders joking about gas chambers, slavery and rape.
www.politico.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Turns out your assumptions about what republican group chats are like is correct www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Craig Aaron
I'm sorry, is the Trump Administration talking to a tech platform?
Is it...requesting content moderation?
Is it...requesting content moderation?
October 14, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I'm sorry, is the Trump Administration talking to a tech platform?
Is it...requesting content moderation?
Is it...requesting content moderation?
Reposted by Craig Aaron
On the 575th pitch!
What. A. Game.
What. A. Game.
October 11, 2025 at 5:10 AM
On the 575th pitch!
What. A. Game.
What. A. Game.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
The “compact” for higher ed is an unserious document written by unserious people from a position of spectacular ignorance. No one should take it seriously. Sadly, my bosses are taking it seriously.
newrepublic.com/article/2013...
newrepublic.com/article/2013...
Why This Essay Could Cause the University of Virginia to Shut Down
How Linda McMahon’s latest “compact” would do deep and permanent harm to American higher education
newrepublic.com
October 8, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The “compact” for higher ed is an unserious document written by unserious people from a position of spectacular ignorance. No one should take it seriously. Sadly, my bosses are taking it seriously.
newrepublic.com/article/2013...
newrepublic.com/article/2013...
Shame on Apple. Tim Cook's commitment to capitulation is remarkable.
migrantinsider.com/p/scoop-appl...
migrantinsider.com/p/scoop-appl...
SCOOP: Apple Quietly Made ICE Agents a Protected Class
Internal emails show tech giant used anti-hate-speech rules meant for minorities to block an app documenting immigration enforcement.
migrantinsider.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Shame on Apple. Tim Cook's commitment to capitulation is remarkable.
migrantinsider.com/p/scoop-appl...
migrantinsider.com/p/scoop-appl...
National Digital Inclusion Alliance files suit over Trump administration killing Digital Equity Act grant program.
www.digitalinclusion.org/blog/nationa...
www.digitalinclusion.org/blog/nationa...
National Digital Inclusion Alliance Files Lawsuit Seeking Reinstatement of Bipartisan Digital Equity Act’s Competitive Grant Program - National Digital Inclusion Alliance
The lawsuit alleges that the termination of an entire congressionally mandated grant program under the Digital Equity Act is an unconstitutional overreach and strikes a blow to communities, leaving th...
www.digitalinclusion.org
October 8, 2025 at 7:32 PM
National Digital Inclusion Alliance files suit over Trump administration killing Digital Equity Act grant program.
www.digitalinclusion.org/blog/nationa...
www.digitalinclusion.org/blog/nationa...
Reposted by Craig Aaron
The central figure in Trump's push to silence Kimmel et al is now in full damage control, trying to rewrite the history of what just happened, while offloading onto Democrats blame for his unconstitutional campaign of censorship.
Free Press' @mattfieldwood.bsky.social exposes all of Carr's lies:
Free Press' @mattfieldwood.bsky.social exposes all of Carr's lies:
Another Carr Wreck
How the current FCC chairman is ignoring the truth about free speech
pressingissues.org
October 8, 2025 at 10:49 AM
The central figure in Trump's push to silence Kimmel et al is now in full damage control, trying to rewrite the history of what just happened, while offloading onto Democrats blame for his unconstitutional campaign of censorship.
Free Press' @mattfieldwood.bsky.social exposes all of Carr's lies:
Free Press' @mattfieldwood.bsky.social exposes all of Carr's lies: