The Media Institute – Working for a Strong First Amendment and Sound Communications Policy

Luncheon Speakers

Ms. Kate Riley, President and CEO of America’s Public Television Stations, spoke at the St Regis Hotel about the public broadcasting structure and challenges faced … Read More »

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Issue Watch

Officials Sought Phone Records of NYT Journalists and Relatives

President Donald Trump’s administration sought phone records of several New York Times journalists and even those of some of their relatives, according to a … Read More »

FCC To Vote on Replacing Broadcast Ownership Cap

In a move that could fundamentally reshape the broadcast industry and usher in a wave of consolidation, the Federal Communications Commission will vote on Aug. … Read More »

FDA Plan Could Drive Pharma Ads Off TV, Radio

The Trump administration intends to push forward with new advertising restrictions on the pharmaceutical industry. A notice has been issued saying that the … Read More »

Media & Communications Policy Blog

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

Who Can Save Local Television? The Merger Main Street May Need
By Adonis Hoffman, Esq.

By most accounts, America’s local television stations are in trouble. Declining viewership, diminished advertising revenue, and devastating competition from streaming services have left local broadcasters … Read More »

The letters TMI are colorfully displayed

TMI Embraces Too Much Information
By Michael O’Rielly

For many of us, The Media Institute – an esteemed forum for convening, debating, and defending the First Amendment’s protections for American media – is … Read More »

Paramount Deal Doesn’t Trigger Foreign Ownership Concerns
By Michael O’Rielly

After months of a publicly contested bidding war over the Warner Bros. Discovery assets, Paramount ultimately prevailed. The company now moves to the deal … Read More »

Press Releases

Communications Forum Luncheon Series Kicks Off 2026 Season In February With NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth

FOR RELEASE: January 28, 2026 Contact: Richard T. Kaplar The Media Institute 703-506-8030 Vienna, Va., Jan. 28, 2026 – The Media Institute’s Communications Forum Luncheon Series will launch its 2026 [...]

Comm. Olivia Trusty Looks at FCC’s Role in America’s Communications Future In ‘Conversations of Note’ Paper for Media Institute’s Madison Project

FOR RELEASE: January 26, 2026 Contact: Richard T. Kaplar The Media Institute 703-506-8030 Vienna, Va., Jan. 26, 2026 – A paper released by The Media Institute’s initiative “The Madison Project: [...]

Richard E. Wiley To Step Down as Media Institute Board Chairman; Prominent Media Attorney Kathleen A. Kirby Named Successor

FOR RELEASE: January 7, 2026 Contact: Richard T. Kaplar The Media Institute 703-506-8986 Vienna, Va., Jan. 7, 2026 – Richard E. Wiley, who has chaired The Media Institute’s Board of [...]

Law & Policy

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.

Bean Maine Lobster, Inc. v. Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation

TMI Joins a Whale of a Defamation Debate

View Brief

TMI Comments To FCC

Media Institute Comments on FCC’s News Distortion Policy

VIEW COMMENTS

U.S. v. Team Finance

Intervention by Media Outlets To Challenge Access Restrictions Is Essential

VIEW Brief

Digital Media Center

Digital Media Center Partners With Parks Associates

Parks Associates 2026 “Future of Video” Conferences

Stay tuned for the schedule of 2026 conferences!

Net Vitality 3.0: Identifying the Top-Tier Global Broadband Internet Ecosystem Leaders

CLICK HERE

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.