Craig Aaron
@notaaroncraig.bsky.social
Co-CEO of Free Press and Free Press Action and guy with two first names
freepress.net
(No, not *The* Bari Weiss one. We love journalism, democracy and public media!)
Subscribe to my Pressing Issues newsletter: https://pressingissues.org/
freepress.net
(No, not *The* Bari Weiss one. We love journalism, democracy and public media!)
Subscribe to my Pressing Issues newsletter: https://pressingissues.org/
Pinned
Craig Aaron
@notaaroncraig.bsky.social
· Sep 26
"Trump's war on free speech is no joke—and it's not over. Carr threatened the licenses of ABC affiliates with mafia-like threats because his boss in the White House didn't like Kimmel's views, a chilling violation that would've forced previous FCC chairs to resign." - @notaaroncraig.bsky.social
'The Fight Doesn’t End Here': Despite Kimmel's Return, Accountability Demanded for Trump's FCC Chair, Media Execs | Common Dreams
Despite Jimmy Kimmel's return to the air, advocates say the fight against the Trump administration's war on dissent "doesn’t end here." They called for investigations into FCC chair Brendan Carr and the media executives who caved to his censorship demands.
www.commondreams.org
Your pressure made Disney, Sinclair and Nexstar back down. But don’t let up. They’re still pushing for deals that will let them get bigger and swallow up more stations. And don’t let them rewrite what happened either. We all saw the coercion and censorship with our own eyes.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
For my latest PressingIssues.org story, I connected with @conmijente.bsky.social about its new APAGA EL ODIO (Stop the Hate) campaign.
Both Univision and Telemundo sent me statements about the campaign and why they ran DHS ads on Spanish-language TV.
Both Univision and Telemundo sent me statements about the campaign and why they ran DHS ads on Spanish-language TV.
Campaign Calls on Univision and Telemundo to Stop Airing Anti-Immigrant Ads
Mijente’s latest petition says broadcasting DHS commercials betrays Spanish-speaking communities in the U.S.
pressingissues.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:06 PM
For my latest PressingIssues.org story, I connected with @conmijente.bsky.social about its new APAGA EL ODIO (Stop the Hate) campaign.
Both Univision and Telemundo sent me statements about the campaign and why they ran DHS ads on Spanish-language TV.
Both Univision and Telemundo sent me statements about the campaign and why they ran DHS ads on Spanish-language TV.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
We need to talk about Donald Trump and his censorship czar, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, because they're at it again.
Here's your latest media censorship update from Free Press' co-CEO @notaaroncraig.bsky.social:
Here's your latest media censorship update from Free Press' co-CEO @notaaroncraig.bsky.social:
November 25, 2025 at 6:59 PM
We need to talk about Donald Trump and his censorship czar, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, because they're at it again.
Here's your latest media censorship update from Free Press' co-CEO @notaaroncraig.bsky.social:
Here's your latest media censorship update from Free Press' co-CEO @notaaroncraig.bsky.social:
Reposted by Craig Aaron
This is so incredible. You have to see the photos. These workers held the line for THREE YEARS www.publicsource.org/post-gazette...
November 25, 2025 at 5:29 AM
This is so incredible. You have to see the photos. These workers held the line for THREE YEARS www.publicsource.org/post-gazette...
Looks like someone else is not too crazy about lifting the national cap on local TV station ownership.
November 24, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Looks like someone else is not too crazy about lifting the national cap on local TV station ownership.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
Jane Fonda, Anna Gomez, John Oliver and the growing backlash against censorship and consolidation.
Free Press co-CEO @notaaroncraig.bsky.social on the latest edition of Pressing Issues: https://pressingissues.org/media-mergers-and-the-new-mccarthyism/
Free Press co-CEO @notaaroncraig.bsky.social on the latest edition of Pressing Issues: https://pressingissues.org/media-mergers-and-the-new-mccarthyism/
Media Mergers and the New McCarthyism
Jane Fonda, Anna Gomez, John Oliver and the growing backlash against censorship and consolidation
pressingissues.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Jane Fonda, Anna Gomez, John Oliver and the growing backlash against censorship and consolidation.
Free Press co-CEO @notaaroncraig.bsky.social on the latest edition of Pressing Issues: https://pressingissues.org/media-mergers-and-the-new-mccarthyism/
Free Press co-CEO @notaaroncraig.bsky.social on the latest edition of Pressing Issues: https://pressingissues.org/media-mergers-and-the-new-mccarthyism/
“We don’t deserve the trust of the nation if we’re unclear about the divisiveness of swastikas,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to a fear of reprisal.
November 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM
“We don’t deserve the trust of the nation if we’re unclear about the divisiveness of swastikas,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to a fear of reprisal.
Brendan Carr specializes in baseless investigations, which is why Trump likes him so much.
Apparently he’s now pretending to be OfCom’s censorship czar, too.
Apparently he’s now pretending to be OfCom’s censorship czar, too.
I wrote about Brendan Carr's latest phony "investigation" of the media over at Techdirt
Brendan Carr Launches Baseless ‘Investigation’ Into PBS, NPR, And BBC To Try And Silence Criticism Of His Weird, Unpopular Boss
Donald Trump’s FCC boss Brendan Carr is opening a fake new “investigation” into PBS, NPR, and BBC in the hopes of suppressing journalistic criticism of the country’s increas…
www.techdirt.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Brendan Carr specializes in baseless investigations, which is why Trump likes him so much.
Apparently he’s now pretending to be OfCom’s censorship czar, too.
Apparently he’s now pretending to be OfCom’s censorship czar, too.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
The President of the United States just called for Democratic members of Congress to be executed. "HANG THEM", he posted.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
November 20, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The President of the United States just called for Democratic members of Congress to be executed. "HANG THEM", he posted.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.
Government censorship in action. The Ellisons need to be stopped.
Larry Ellison discussed axing CNN hosts with White House in takeover bid talks
Exclusive: Senior officials indicated favorability toward Paramount Skydance acquiring Warner Bros Discovery
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Government censorship in action. The Ellisons need to be stopped.
"Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed."
democraticleader.house.gov/media/press-...
democraticleader.house.gov/media/press-...
JOINT LEADERSHIP STATEMENT ABOUT DONALD TRUMP’S DEATH THREATS AGAINST DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar released the following statement:
democraticleader.house.gov
November 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
"Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed."
democraticleader.house.gov/media/press-...
democraticleader.house.gov/media/press-...
Reposted by Craig Aaron
Former California Lifeline recipient here, calling on Brendan Carr to butt out. This is nothing more than a politically motivated scheme to make it harder for poor Californians to access phone and internet service, dressed up as preventing fraud. It's disgusting. docs.fcc.gov/public/attac...
docs.fcc.gov
November 20, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Former California Lifeline recipient here, calling on Brendan Carr to butt out. This is nothing more than a politically motivated scheme to make it harder for poor Californians to access phone and internet service, dressed up as preventing fraud. It's disgusting. docs.fcc.gov/public/attac...
Brendan Carr's latest completely bogus "investigation" is just a blatantly political threat to public media. The censorship czar is back, baby!
I'm not sure how Carr's expanding his jurisdiction to the BBC, but then the point is always just spreading fear and scoring cheap points with Trump.
I'm not sure how Carr's expanding his jurisdiction to the BBC, but then the point is always just spreading fear and scoring cheap points with Trump.
Trump's censor in chief at the FCC, Brendan Carr, just sent a letter to the heads of BBC, NPR and PBS informing them he's launching a "news distortion" probe into the BBC's editing of a documentary on Trump's Jan. 6 activities.
Here it is:
Here it is:
November 19, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Brendan Carr's latest completely bogus "investigation" is just a blatantly political threat to public media. The censorship czar is back, baby!
I'm not sure how Carr's expanding his jurisdiction to the BBC, but then the point is always just spreading fear and scoring cheap points with Trump.
I'm not sure how Carr's expanding his jurisdiction to the BBC, but then the point is always just spreading fear and scoring cheap points with Trump.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
As Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said last week: "Capitulation breeds capitulation."
Disney/ABC's $16 million dollar payout to Trump in December didn't earn the company any special favors today.
Disney/ABC's $16 million dollar payout to Trump in December didn't earn the company any special favors today.
Trump in response to an Epstein question: "ABC, your company, your crappy company is one of the perpetrators. I think the license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake and so wrong. And we have a great commissioner, a chairman, who should take a look at that."
November 18, 2025 at 9:24 PM
As Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said last week: "Capitulation breeds capitulation."
Disney/ABC's $16 million dollar payout to Trump in December didn't earn the company any special favors today.
Disney/ABC's $16 million dollar payout to Trump in December didn't earn the company any special favors today.
Nexstar filed their official paperwork on their proposed merger with Tegna today. Unlawful deal still stinks.
www.freepress.net/news/propose...
www.freepress.net/news/propose...
Proposed Nexstar-Tegna Merger Is Blatant Violation of the Law Prohibiting One Company from Too Much Control of Local Airwaves
The $6.2 billion deal also would violate the FCC’s few remaining local-ownership limits in nearly 30 markets. In some, it would leave Nexstar in control of three of the top-four-ranked stations.
www.freepress.net
November 18, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Nexstar filed their official paperwork on their proposed merger with Tegna today. Unlawful deal still stinks.
www.freepress.net/news/propose...
www.freepress.net/news/propose...
Reposted by Craig Aaron
starting to think that repeatedly sinking trillions into Silicon Valley's new favorite toy while tech companies spend millions to kill any meaningful regulation is actually not going to end well
November 18, 2025 at 3:38 PM
starting to think that repeatedly sinking trillions into Silicon Valley's new favorite toy while tech companies spend millions to kill any meaningful regulation is actually not going to end well
New Pressing Issues: Jane Fonda, Anna Gomez, John Oliver and why anyone concerned about free speech and repression should be worried about corporate media capitulation and consolidation, too. Read and subscribe!
Media Mergers and the New McCarthyism
Jane Fonda, Anna Gomez, John Oliver and the growing backlash against censorship and consolidation
pressingissues.org
November 18, 2025 at 7:18 PM
New Pressing Issues: Jane Fonda, Anna Gomez, John Oliver and why anyone concerned about free speech and repression should be worried about corporate media capitulation and consolidation, too. Read and subscribe!
Once again, Trump calls on his enforcer Brendan Carr to go after news media for questions he doesn't like. Totally normal!
Oh, and this was right after dismissing a question about a brutally murdered journalist. Tuesday!
Oh, and this was right after dismissing a question about a brutally murdered journalist. Tuesday!
Trump in response to an Epstein question: "ABC, your company, your crappy company is one of the perpetrators. I think the license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake and so wrong. And we have a great commissioner, a chairman, who should take a look at that."
November 18, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Once again, Trump calls on his enforcer Brendan Carr to go after news media for questions he doesn't like. Totally normal!
Oh, and this was right after dismissing a question about a brutally murdered journalist. Tuesday!
Oh, and this was right after dismissing a question about a brutally murdered journalist. Tuesday!
Don't miss John Oliver's brilliant season finale on the plight of public media.
Come for the Bob Ross jokes, stay for the powerful stories of how essential public media is to local communities.
Lucky to play a small role in helping to shape this one.
Come for the Bob Ross jokes, stay for the powerful stories of how essential public media is to local communities.
Lucky to play a small role in helping to shape this one.
Public Media: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
YouTube video by LastWeekTonight
www.youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Don't miss John Oliver's brilliant season finale on the plight of public media.
Come for the Bob Ross jokes, stay for the powerful stories of how essential public media is to local communities.
Lucky to play a small role in helping to shape this one.
Come for the Bob Ross jokes, stay for the powerful stories of how essential public media is to local communities.
Lucky to play a small role in helping to shape this one.
Reposted by Craig Aaron
“Law enforcement physically attacked 72 journalists covering immigration in LA this year—more than double the city’s 2020 BLM protest total, according to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.”
Ahh yup- can confirm
lapublicpress.org/2025/11/indy...
Ahh yup- can confirm
lapublicpress.org/2025/11/indy...
Scrappy and underpaid, LA's independent reporters risk it all to cover the ICE beat
Law enforcement physically attacked 72 journalists covering immigration in LA this year—more than double the city's 2020 BLM protest total, according to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.
lapublicpress.org
November 17, 2025 at 6:52 PM
“Law enforcement physically attacked 72 journalists covering immigration in LA this year—more than double the city’s 2020 BLM protest total, according to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.”
Ahh yup- can confirm
lapublicpress.org/2025/11/indy...
Ahh yup- can confirm
lapublicpress.org/2025/11/indy...
Pouring one out for Todd Snider, too
Beer Run (Extended)
YouTube video by Todd Snider - Topic
youtu.be
November 16, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Pouring one out for Todd Snider, too
Reposted by Craig Aaron
made a similar point on the opinions podcast this week in response to the idea that epstein is a dead end. not only are actual voters interested in this but it divides the gop and puts pressure on the president. it would be political malpractice to treat it as a sideshow
The usual suspects are telling Dems that Epstein won’t win elections, get back to “affordability” and I think my head might explode. www.offmessage.net/p/force-a-re...
Force A Referendum On The Epstein Coverup
It divides Republicans much more than "affordability" or any other economic issue.
www.offmessage.net
November 15, 2025 at 7:17 PM
made a similar point on the opinions podcast this week in response to the idea that epstein is a dead end. not only are actual voters interested in this but it divides the gop and puts pressure on the president. it would be political malpractice to treat it as a sideshow
Reposted by Craig Aaron
Alice Wong, a writer and activist who was born with muscular dystrophy and who fought relentlessly for equal rights and access for people with disabilities, died on Friday. She was 51. nyti.ms/4r9WqEr
November 15, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Alice Wong, a writer and activist who was born with muscular dystrophy and who fought relentlessly for equal rights and access for people with disabilities, died on Friday. She was 51. nyti.ms/4r9WqEr
So sorry to hear this. A great ally, activist and journalist.
@sfdirewolf.bsky.social just passed away. What a heartbreaking loss. And a reminder of how important Teen Vogue was.
It’s been a pleasure working with Lex and everyone in the politics vertical at Teen Vogue. I’m heartbroken that my column, Disability Visibility, is gone. Teen Vogue was one of the few places that published disabled journalists regularly. I just spent the last 2 months working on my next column
November 15, 2025 at 5:59 PM
So sorry to hear this. A great ally, activist and journalist.
New Pressing Issues! What happens when the government doesn’t want you reporting on ICE. @juliorvarela.com interviews @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social
When the Government Doesn't Want You Reporting on ICE
A conversation with Chicago Tribune reporter @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social about covering ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ and staying rooted in community
By @juliorvarela.com
A conversation with Chicago Tribune reporter @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social about covering ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ and staying rooted in community
By @juliorvarela.com
When the Government Doesn't Want You Reporting on ICE
A conversation with Chicago Tribune reporter Laura Rodríguez Presa about covering ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ and staying rooted in community
pressingissues.org
November 15, 2025 at 5:54 PM
New Pressing Issues! What happens when the government doesn’t want you reporting on ICE. @juliorvarela.com interviews @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social
Reposted by Craig Aaron
What a great night.
Commissioner @agomezfcc.bsky.social: "Free Expression is non-negotiable. It marks the line between freedom and repression. Therefore, we must defend it without compromise."
Catch her remarks and the full event here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JJ0...
Commissioner @agomezfcc.bsky.social: "Free Expression is non-negotiable. It marks the line between freedom and repression. Therefore, we must defend it without compromise."
Catch her remarks and the full event here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JJ0...
November 14, 2025 at 12:59 AM
What a great night.
Commissioner @agomezfcc.bsky.social: "Free Expression is non-negotiable. It marks the line between freedom and repression. Therefore, we must defend it without compromise."
Catch her remarks and the full event here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JJ0...
Commissioner @agomezfcc.bsky.social: "Free Expression is non-negotiable. It marks the line between freedom and repression. Therefore, we must defend it without compromise."
Catch her remarks and the full event here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JJ0...