Josh Stearns

An analysis of ethics considerations related to the use of sensors and drones in newsgathering. With a focus on community engagement and participatory journalism, this research discusses how newsrooms can develop sensor journalism projects that are sensitive to the privacy of local communities.

Including profiles of nontraditional journalists and a review of legal arguments, this paper highlights the emerging consensus around a new vision for press freedom, one that protects all acts of journalism. At its core is the idea that everyday Americans are central to the future of journalism as news consumers, distributors and creators. We need to push for policies that protect longstanding journalism institutions alongside these new participants.

Free Press inspected the political files of 11 Spanish-language stations in Colorado, Florida and
New Mexico and interviewed Latino community leaders, media experts and political analysts on
the importance — and pitfalls — of political advertising.

This paper offers a framework and policy recommendations for expanding both the funding and the definition of public media in the United States. We propose rethinking public media as an inclusive and holistic noncommercial media sector that builds new connections and commands new forms of support across all forms of public service media. By embracing digital media — and the changes that come with a shift from one-way broadcast communication to many-to-many digital communication — we can create… Show more

This paper offers a framework and policy recommendations for expanding both the funding and the definition of public media in the United States. We propose rethinking public media as an inclusive and holistic noncommercial media sector that builds new connections and commands new forms of support across all forms of public service media. By embracing digital media — and the changes that come with a shift from one-way broadcast communication to many-to-many digital communication — we can create a more diverse media system that brings in new participants and stakeholders. Show less

Since 2008, budget battles at the state level have eroded funding for public broadcasters around the country. Josh Stearns and Mike Soha of Free Press and SaveTheNews.org take an in-depth look at the system-wide impact state funding cuts local stations, and what the loss of funding means for the future of public media.

This white paper by Free Press' Corie Wright and Josh Stearns lays out our research on covert consolidation and provides in-depth case studies of three covert-consolidation deals.

The first report in this series provides an in-depth analysis of ideas and proposals being debated about the future of the news business and advocates for a range of short- and long-term strategies. Saving the News calls for a far-reaching national journalism strategy built around the principles of protecting the First Amendment, producing quality news coverage, providing adversarial perspectives, promoting public accountability and prioritizing innovation.