Media & Communications Policy – Issues & Developments in the Realm of Communications and Media Policy & The First Amendment

February 1, 2026January 27, 2026 By Michael O'Rielly

Why I ‘Chose’ The Media Institute

Career paths can be carefully mapped or unexpectedly presented. In this case, the role called me. Late last year, it became clear that The Media Institute (TMI) – an organization I admire for its honorable mission and pivotal functions – needed a new leader, as its legendary head, Rick Kaplar, was ready to reduce his workload.

At that point, my hand reflexively rose to help steer TMI’s future, alongside an able Board of Trustees, with the respectful goal of preserving its high notes while addressing any shortcomings. To be clear, my aim is to maintain TMI at its current level of effectiveness while recognizing the demands of a changing media environment. The historic time and energy invested in TMI’s triumphs deserve no less.

December 9, 2025December 8, 2025 By Guest Author Gary Shapiro

Why Innovation Needs the First Amendment

Our American democracy and our freedoms have long been models for others. For some 250 years, our ability to argue, debate, clash, and ultimately come together has not been a weakness – it has been our superpower!

The First Amendment was the first improvement to our Constitution for a reason. It ensures not only that we speak, but that we can hear one another.

Free speech is America’s secret sauce. It has fueled our economy, expanded opportunity, and made us the most innovative nation in history.

October 16, 2025October 16, 2025 By Adonis Hoffman, Esq.

TV Consolidation – A Moat Against Extinction

Broadcast television, once the unquestioned center of American life, now stands at the edge of obsolescence. What was once a cultural hearth has been pushed to the margins by streaming, cord-cutting, “cord-nevers,” and the algorithmic dominance of Big Tech. Viewers have migrated, advertisers have followed, and revenue models that once sustained thousands of stations are eroding at an accelerating pace.

The uncomfortable truth is that fragmentation has become fatal. American broadcasters, still bound by ownership rules written for another era, are ill-equipped to compete against digital behemoths that operate without limits. Unless policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders embrace consolidation, the medium that has long been free, universal, and trusted risks being reduced to a relic of a bygone era.

September 18, 2025October 22, 2025 By Adonis Hoffman, Esq.

The Future of Conservative Media

The slaying of conservative activist and media personality Charlie Kirk as he spoke at a campus rally in Utah was a tragedy on many levels: the wrenching of a devoted family man from his wife and young children; the fatal silencing of a speaker in a nation where freedom of speech is a constitutional guarantee; and a manifestation of the increasingly brutal partisanship gripping this country.

This senseless killing also has drawn newfound attention to the environment in which Charlie Kirk thrived – the catalyst that propelled him to the forefront of a movement, making him a hero to millions and a public figure to all: conservative media.

July 24, 2025July 23, 2025 By Stuart N. Brotman

Let’s Not Create a Self-Censorship Wave in Comedy

Stephen Colbert’s recent announcement that he has been terminated from hosting The Late Show on CBS has been met with confusion and anger by millions of his fans. The press announcement indicated that the cancellation, effective in May 2026, was the result solely of financial losses for the top-rated series.

But there remains a larger fear that a contributing factor was to punish Colbert’s sharp political jokes that frequently slung arrows at the Trump administration, versions one and two. Put simply, both removing Colbert and eliminating The Late Show entirely after he departs may have a more lasting impact on other comedians now on air or in the future.

June 26, 2025June 25, 2025 By Guest Author Anna Gomez

Government’s Unprecedented Threat to the First Amendment

Our current political moment poses challenges unlike anything I thought I would face as an FCC Commissioner. This Administration has been on a campaign to censor and control since, well, before day one. And since day one the FCC has been implementing the will of this Administration and undermining the First Amendment at every turn.

The First Amendment has protected our fundamental right to speak freely and to hold power to account since 1791. It is foundational to our democracy. Today, the greatest threat to that freedom is coming from our own government.

May 8, 2025May 7, 2025 By Michael O'Rielly

Reshaping the Commercial Privacy Narrative

In the great conundrum that is comprehensive commercial privacy legislation, congratulations are due. The good news is that the House Energy and Commerce Committee – led by Chairman Guthrie and Vice Chairman Joyce – has taken an appropriate step to regroup and formulate a sound, substantive foothold.

Through a Request for Information, the Committee is asking fundamental questions, rather than dictating answers, with the goal of eventually building a sustainable bill that can pass through the legislative process. That’s worthy of a tip of the hat and saying a short prayer for success.

March 21, 2025March 19, 2025 By Michael O'Rielly

Bringing Forbearance to Video Services

The communications sector is beset by layers upon layers of unnecessary government burdens. While visible in many areas, obsolete policies fastened to traditional video providers – some of which were chiseled over 40 years ago – are clearly ready for the delete button.

Yet, erasing outdated regulations, even if there’s universal agreement, takes massive amounts of time and Herculean effort to overcome the procedural hoops and eventual court challenges. That’s unacceptable in today’s very fluid and competitive video marketplace.

March 13, 2025March 13, 2025 By Guest Author Curtis LeGeyt

Local Broadcasters Need Level Playing Field To Compete, Innovate, Serve the Public

America’s broadcasters are beacons of our democracy. Every day, they exercise their First Amendment right to report, inform, and help citizens understand the issues that affect their daily lives.

And let’s face it: This is a challenging time to be a broadcast journalist. As the truth competes with falsehoods on social media and political polarization gets the headlines, exercising our First Amendment right to inform the public and provide the facts has never been more challenging – or essential.

March 6, 2025March 6, 2025 By Stuart N. Brotman

Government Should Have No Role in Policing News Distortions

In early February, CBS News complied with an FCC request to hand over the raw footage and transcript from an October 2024 interview with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The FCC has re-opened a closed file of a complaint that alleges CBS doctored the interview.

President Trump has already weighed in with his conclusion in a Truth Social post – CBS “defrauded the public,” he claims, and the network “should lose its license.”