Free Press Action Fund

“The organization has no committees that are authorized to act on behalf of the governing body.”

“Generally, an electronic copy of the form 990 is distributed to all members of the audit oversight committee (chair, treasurer, and assistant treasurer) which reviews it and the organization's financial statements during a meeting with the certified public accountant retained to prepare these documents. Once the audit oversight committee is satisfied with the accuracy of the information presented, a copy of the form 990 is sent to all board members prior to filing. Each year the entire governing body is offered the opportunity to meet with the organization's certified public accountant to review the audited financial statements and to discuss the financial management practices of the organization. This is an optional meeting designed to allow the governing body direct access to the cpa.”

“All officers, directors, trustees, and key employees are required to disclose annually interests that could give rise to conflicts. Signed documents are collected at the annual meeting of the governing body. If a real or perceived conflict is reported the procedures in the policy are followed.”

“Each position at free press action fund has a pay range. Ranges are determined after review of comparability data, including compensation information received directly from peer organizations, compensation data from the federal government pay scale, and research on non-profit compensation conducted by guidestar, regional employer associations, and job postings. Management includes compensation data for all staff, including the executive director and key employees, in the annual budget that is reviewed and approved by the board of directors in advance of each fiscal year. A detailed memo outlining the organization's values around compensation, the highest and lowest paid employee and how compensation changes within any fiscal year is provided along with the budget. The board approves the budget in advance of each fiscal year. Compensation changes during any fiscal year are at the discretion of management, and must remain within the board approved budget. Mid-year changes to the ceo's compensation, if any must be reviewed and approved by the board of directors.”

“Free press action fund will provide copies of governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements upon request and within 10 business days of any request.”

“Program work includes: education, organizing and mobilizing our members to advocate for better media, open technology and a healthier democracy. Areas of focus include internet freedom and network neutrality; journalism and public media, media consolidation and media diversity, press freedom; privacy, surveillance, and government transparency and accountability. Accomplishments include: 1) continued to build a strong citizen movement for better media in the u.s by providing education, resources and networking opportunities and adding 294,000 new activists. Secured financial support from 6,026 unique donors. Provided regular and timely information to members via email, website and direct mail. 2) internet freedom and network neutrality: promoted policies that protect consumers, ensure universal access and encourage competition and innovation in the broadband marketplace. Educated consumers about pricing, competition, and service practices in the cable and wireless services industry. Exposed unfair trade practices and violations of net neutrality. Held more than 100 meetings and events with senators, representatives and their congressional staffs, delivering messages from a diverse group of advocates both inside and outside the beltway. Testified in congress 2 times, in in favor of consumer safeguards that promote diversity and choice in america's video marketplace and in favor of giving consumers greater control of their wireless devices, preventing spectrum concentration and promoting unlicensed use of spectrum for innovation. Organized an international internet slowdown day, and 2 million people took action, sending 777,364 comments to the fcc and more than 300,000 calls and 2.3 million emails to congress in favor of real network neutrality protections. Organized 38 meetings with members of congress and their staff in lawmakers' home districts. Supported the usa freedom act. Urged congressional leaders to pre-empt statewide bans on community broadband networks. Supported a new community broadband act. 3) media ownership and consolidation: worked to prevent further consolidation of media ownership and to promote policies that support pluralism and diversity. Exposed the negative impact of marginalization and suppression of independent voices. Promoted competitive, diverse and independent local media. Testified in congress against a bill that would strip the fcc of its ability to enforce local tv ownership rules. Testified in the senate against at&t's bid for directv, calling out the phone giant's failure to deliver on earlier promises to provide affordable broadband to more customers. Supported the renewal of the satellite television extension and localism act, advocating for consumer safeguards that would promote diversity and choice in america's video marketplace.”