Mpls to Host 2008 National Conference for Media Reform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
AUGUST 17, 2007
9:51 AM

CONTACT: Free Press
Jen Howard, press@freepress.net, (202) 265-1490, x22


Minneapolis to Host 2008 National Conference for Media Reform
June 6-8 Event to Focus National Spotlight on Media Reform Movement

WASHINGTON - AUGUST 17 - Free Press, the national, nonpartisan media reform
group, today announced that the fourth National Conference for Media Reform
will be held on June 6-8, 2008, in Minneapolis. Thousands of activists,
artists, policymakers, journalists and concerned citizens from all 50 states
are expected to attend the conference -- the only national event devoted
exclusively to reforming the media.

"Through the tremendous activism of millions of everyday citizens, media is
rapidly becoming an unavoidable political issue," said Robert W. McChesney,
president and co-founder of Free Press. "The National Conference for Media
Reform is about harnessing this expanding movement and going on offense to
create a better media system."

The National Conference for Media Reform will focus the national spotlight
on issues like media consolidation, public media, quality journalism and the
future of the Internet.

The Minneapolis event will build on the success of last year's conference in
Memphis, which was attended by nearly 3,500 media reformers who participated
in more than 100 interactive panels and workshops. They drew inspiration
from rousing speeches by headliners Bill Moyers, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Jane
Fonda, Geena Davis and Danny Glover. Previous conferences were held in St.
Louis and Madison, Wis.

"People from all walks of life understand that fixing the problems of the
media is the first step toward progress on any issue we care about," said
Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press. "After years of fighting to
prevent a bad system from getting worse, this conference can focus on
pushing reforms that will create the kind of open and democratic media this
country needs."

For more information, visit www.freepress.net/conference.

Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the
media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and
independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to
communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net