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The Media Institute presents the Communications Forum Luncheon Series featuring President & CEO Jonathan Spalter

Luncheon Speakers

Jonathan Spalter, president and CEO of USTelecom, shared his thoughts on the telecom industry in a fireside chat with Media Institute President Richard Kaplar on … Read More »

To become a Communications Forum sponsor, click here.

US Capitol Building

Senate Hearing Witnesses Spar Over Ownership Caps

During a major Senate hearing on broadcast ownership caps, witnesses and U.S. Senators generally agreed that local journalism faces serious challenges that  …  Read More »

FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty

Trusty: Ownership Deregulation Will Boost Broadcast Competition

FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty is defending the agency’s sweeping media ownership reforms, echoing the comments of many broadcasters that outdated  …  Read More »

Federal Communications Commission

FCC Opens Probe Into ABC’s ‘The View’

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched a probe into ABC’s “The View” after the program held an interview with Democratic Texas Senate  …  Read More »

Informed and thoughtful commentary on a variety of First Amendment and communications policy issues.

Mike O'Rielly

Why I ‘Chose’ The Media Institute
By Michael O’Rielly

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 …  Read More »

Why Innovation Needs the First Amendment
By Guest Author Gary Shapiro

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 …  Read More »

TV Consolidation – A Moat Against Extinction
By Adonis Hoffman, Esq.

Broadcast television, once the unquestioned center of American life, now stands at the edge of obsolescence. What was once a cultural hearth has been …  Read More »

The Institute participated with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and other media groups recently in the following friend-of-the-court briefs and letter.

Media Institute Comments on FCC’s News Distortion Policy

Intervention by Media Outlets To Challenge Access Restrictions Is Essential

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

2025 ‘FREE SPEECH AMERICA’ GALA

 

The Institute’s “Free Speech America” Gala took place on October 29, 2025, at The Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C. We honored Gary Shapiro with our Freedom of Speech Award and Hans Vestberg with our American Horizon Award. The evening’s Featured Speaker was FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty. Institute Board Chairman Richard E. Wiley was the Master of Ceremonies.

Gary Shapiro, CEO & Vice Chair of Consumer Technology Association

Gary Shapiro
Consumer Technology Association
Freedom of Speech Awardee

Hans Vestberg, Chairmanand CEO of Verizon

Hans Vestberg
Verizon
American Horizon Awardee

FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty

Olivia Trusty
FCC Commissioner
Featured Speaker

Richard E. Wiley, Wiley Rein LLP

Richard E. Wiley
Wiley Rein LLP
Master of Ceremonies

Free Speech Week website

Free Speech Week is a yearly, non-partisan celebration of the value of free speech and expression.

October 19-25, 2026

Patrick D. Maines, President Emeritus, The Media Institute 1943 – 2025

Patrick D. Maines
President Emeritus, The Media Institute
1943 – 2025

A Tribute to Media Institute Board Chairman Richard E. Wiley
Recipient of The Media Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award
October 29, 2024

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