Operating at the Forefront of the Media Landscape

Based in the world’s most influential media market, FMC sets standards that resonate across the nation. Our mission is to build stronger communities and strengthen democracy by ensuring access to accurate information, fostering public trust, and empowering organizations to succeed in a media-driven world.

Membership: Enhancing Responsibility and Trust

Membership in FMC goes beyond professional development — it’s a commitment to social responsibility. Businesses and nonprofits gain tools to champion community needs while strengthening their credibility and positioning their brands as trusted leaders in their industries.

By empowering organizations with media literacy and media relations expertise, FMC ensures members have a meaningful impact on their communities and the conversations that shape society.

Our Impact: Methods and Metrics That Matter

Empowering Organizations Through Programming

FMC has equipped thousands of organizations with the tools and insights needed to effectively navigate today’s media landscape. By infusing  media relations with media literacy, our programming enables leaders to position and protect their brands with confidence.

A unique benefit of FMC events? Organizations frequently secure media interviews and coverage —sometimes on the spot. These connections, forged through FMC’s programming, amplify visibility and influence while fostering trust between organizations and media professionals.

Ensuring Media Accountability

FMC holds traditional and digital media to the highest ethical standards. When the public’s trust is at risk, we act decisively to ensure access to reliable information. Our work includes:

• Working with newsrooms to address gaps and improve coverage.
• Advocating for corrections or removal of inaccuracies in media stories.
• Safeguarding the public’s right to accurate and truthful information.

Elevating Excellence with the Folio Awards

The Folio Awards set the gold standard for the modern media landscape, recognizing excellence in both journalism and digital media. This national program attracts the best in news, storytelling, and digital innovation from across the country. Beyond celebrating outstanding work, the Folio Awards:

• Influence Media Practices: Public feedback provided through the awards directly impacts newsroom and digital media strategies and influences the content and character of news.
• Elevate Storytelling Across Platforms: By recognizing excellence in journalism and digital media, the awards inspire professionals to push boundaries and embrace innovation.
• Educate the Public: Judges are guided to discern high-quality journalism and digital storytelling, creating informed communities that understand what ethical, impactful media looks like.
• Strengthen the Media Landscape: Through a green-light ethics approach, the Folio Awards provide real-world examples of how media — both traditional and digital — can serve the public interest.

Whether it’s a groundbreaking investigative piece or an impactful digital campaign, the Folio Awards reflect the evolving media landscape and set the standard for excellence.

From Long Island to National Impact

Keeping Local News Local

As one of the oldest and most successful media watchdogs in the country, FMC ensures Long Island’s communities are served by trustworthy local news. Some of our achievements include:

• Advocating for Long Island News Bureaus: FMC successfully pushed for the creation of local reporters and news bureaus, ensuring coverage beyond Long Island.
• Facilitating Electoral Debate: FMC made possible a Nassau County Executive debate that simultaneously aired on WCBS-TV/TV55 and WCBS Newsradio 880, elevating Long Island’s visibility.
• Preserving Local Outlets: FMC’s advocacy put conditions on the sale of Cablevision to Altice, to ensure News12 remained on Long Island. When AOL was shuttering Patch.com during a nationwide closure, FMC’s advocacy kept the news outlet alive and local on Long Island. 
• Providing Ongoing Monitoring: FMC studies the issues that impact news coverage content and accessibility and acts to ensure Long Island’s information needs are met.

Long Island serves as the starting point for media innovation and accountability, with lessons that resonate nationwide.

Bridging the Gap Between Media and Communities

FMC is the only organization on Long Island that connects national, regional, and local media directly with the community. Through exclusive programming, we:

• Demystify the news process to empower communities with knowledge.
• Facilitate open dialogue, fostering mutual understanding and respect.
• Ensure technology and innovation — from social media to AI — are part of the public conversation, keeping communities informed and engaged.

These efforts move public conversations forward and strengthen the fabric of informed communities.

Advocating for Public Safety

FMC’s proactive advocacy has enhanced emergency communication systems in coastal communities, saving lives and ensuring resilience. Key accomplishments include:

• Adding 300+ Cell Boosters: Improving connectivity during emergencies.
• Enhancing Emergency Signage: Guiding residents to safety during crises.
• Monitoring Emergency Alerts: Ensuring broadcasters successfully participate in EAS/FEMA tests to protect the public.

Educating for Integrity in Public Conversations

FMC teaches individuals and organizations the responsibilities of contributing to public discourse. Through high editorial standards and informed best practices, we:

• Empower organizations to craft credible, ethical messaging.
• Foster communities that value truth, transparency, and trust.

Why FMC Matters

FMC is uniquely positioned to tackle the challenges of the modern media landscape in ways no other organization can.

• • A Dual Mission with Real Impact: FMC bridges media accountability and media literacy, addressing both sides of the media equation to ensure trustworthy news and media and empowered audiences.
  • Innovative Solutions for Complex Challenges: From addressing misinformation and protecting public discourse to identifying information gaps that leave communities vulnerable, FMC creates strategic solutions that benefit businesses, nonprofits, and the public alike.
  • Driving the Future of Media: Operating in the world’s most influential media market, FMC leads with thought leadership that shapes the evolving media landscape. By setting the standard for newsrooms, empowering organizations to communicate ethically, and fostering informed public conversations, FMC ensures that the future of media begins with truth, transparency, and trust.

As the authority on the modern media landscape, FMC’s unique approach strengthens democracy, builds resilient communities, and creates a media-savvy society prepared to navigate an era defined by information.