Free Press

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

“Generally, an electronic copy of form 990 is distributed to members of the audit oversight committee (chair, treasurer, and assistant treasurer) who reviews it and the organization's financial statements in 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 discuss the financial management practice of the organization. This is an optional meeting designed to allow the governing body direct access to the independent auditor.”

“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 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 nonprofit compensation conducted utilizing data obtained from guidestar, regional employer associations and job postings. Management includes compensation data for all staff, including the chief executive officer 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. Midyear changes to chief executive officer's compensation, if any, must be reviewed and approved by the board of directors.”

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

“Program work includes: research, education, organizing and mobilizing nearly 1 million individuals and more than 130 organizations to advocate for better media, open technology and a healthier democracy. Free press works to preserve rights to free expression, communication and privacy online and in person. 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) growing and leading the movement for media reform and justice. Provided regular information via email and website to nearly 1 million constituents hailing from all 50 states and nearly 200 nations. Secured financial support from 355 unique donors. Our website attracted more than 1 million unique visitors and we earned more than 2,500 media hits. Reached 75 million people through social media, with 150,000 facebook fans and 15,000 re-tweets. Created and disseminated resource materials including research reports, issue briefs, factsheets, and brochures. Provided training and support to dozens of local and regional media reform groups and to hundreds of local media activists. 2) internet freedom: 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. Delivered more than 4 million petitions to the federal communications commission in favor of network neutrality and treating the internet as a communications service under title ii of the communications act. Worked with dozens of organizations to plan and implement high profile educational events. Our research was cited 70 times in the run up to the fcc ruling on net neutrality. Participated in a broad and diverse coalition to demand accountability and restore oversight of u.s. Intelligence agencies. We worked with more than 100 organizations to highlight issues of privacy and spying and to implement high profile educational events. 3) press freedom: 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. Submitted to the fcc detailed arguments and petitions to deny the proposed comcast-time warner cable, at&t-directv, and charter-time warner cable mergers. Launched news voices: new jersey a community engagement project dedicated to building an active and sustainable community that supports quality journalism. Surveyed 11,616 constituents on the quality of news in their local communities. Worked with more than 35 new jersey based organizations to convene a series of calls, meetings and large public events to explore how local news can contribute to a broad, solutions-oriented effort toward democratic participation and community self-determination.”

“Neither the oversight process nor the selection process have changed from the prior year.”

“The organization's chair of the board, treasurer, and assistant treasurer assume responsibility for oversight of the audit of the financial statements and selection of an independent accountant.”