BREAKING: FCC suspends CIN study that would intrude on freedom of the press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

From the FCC:

February 21, 2014
Matthew Berry, 202-418-2005
Email: Matthew.Berry@fcc.gov
STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER AJIT PAI

ON THE SUSPENSION OF THE CRITICAL INFORMATION NEEDS STUDY

I welcome today’s announcement that the FCC has suspended its “Multi-Market Study of
Critical Information Needs,” or CIN study. This study would have thrust the federal government
into newsrooms across the country, somewhere it just doesn’t belong. The Commission has now
recognized that no study by the federal government, now or in the future, should involve asking
questions to media owners, news directors, or reporters about their practices. This is an
important victory for the First Amendment. And it would not have been possible without the
American people making their voices heard. I will remain vigilant that any future initiatives not
infringe on our constitutional freedoms.