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The Media Institute presents the Communications Forum Luncheon Series featuring Federal Communications Commission Chief of Staff, Schott Delacourt

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.

Department of Defense logo on top of a flat world map in blue

New York Times Sues Pentagon Over Press Restrictions

The New York Times sued the Defense Department over its press policy prohibiting journalists from soliciting any information not explicitly authorized for …  Read More »

News Media being stamped with the word "Illegal"

White House Website Lists Media ‘Offenders’

The White House has taken its displeasure with the media online, launching a new page on its website Nov. 28 that features the “Media Offender …  Read More »

Facebook Owner Meta Is Not an Illegal Monopoly, Judge Rules

A federal judge has rejected the Federal Trade Commission’s effort to force Meta to divest its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, saying the government hadn’t …  Read More »

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

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 Future of Conservative Media
By Adonis Hoffman, Esq.

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 …  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

Physician’s Public-Official Status Is Key Under California Anti-SLAPP Law

Parks Associates 2025 “Future of Video” Conferences

WORKSHOP IN-PERSON

November 18, 2025
Consumers and Streaming Services Viewing Habits
Event Info | Click to Register

IN-PERSON

November 19, 2025
Future of Video
Event Info | Click to Register

Click here for more information >

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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