Mission Statement

Public Knowledge promotes freedom of expression, an open internet, and access to affordable communications tools and creative works. We work to shape policy on behalf of the public interest.

Vision Statement

We envision a creative and connected future for everyone. We believe in a world where all people can use the internet and technology to realize their full potential, create authentic communities, and hold the powerful accountable.

Values

  • Expertise – We are committed to continuous learning and the practice of rigorous analysis in our work to get policy solutions right.
  • People-Centered – In order to act in the public interest, we advocate for policies that disrupt structural inequities and challenge the powerful.
  • Trust – We act with honesty and integrity in order to build and sustain trust within our stakeholder communities.
  • Constructive Collaboration – The work we do cannot be accomplished alone. Therefore, we strive to create partnerships with allies, communities, and other stakeholders that mutually benefit everyone involved.
  • Pragmatic Idealism – Our goals are aspirational, so in order to achieve them we act strategically and creatively.

Our Core Work

Public Knowledge works at the intersection of copyright, telecommunications, and internet law, at a time when these fields are converging. Public Knowledge’s experience in all three areas puts it in an ideal position to advocate for policies that serve the public interest. Learn more about how we choose issues to promote the public interest.

What Public Knowledge does:

  • Ensure universal access to affordable and open networks
  • Promote creativity through balanced copyright
  • Advance government transparency and the public’s access to knowledge
  • Uphold and protect consumer rights
  • Oppose policies that would slow technology, impede innovation, shrink the public domain, or limit fair use
  • Educate the press, the public, and policymakers using plain-language analysis, white papers, blog posts, and videos
  • Produce events that provide a forum for policymakers, the public, industry, and the press to exchange ideas about our core issues

Public Knowledge is a 501(c)(3) organization. All website material is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) license.

Learn more about our organization in our 2022 annual report.