About The Fine Print*

The Fine Print* is an independent publication launched in 2026 by Karl Bode.

After leaving NYC IT, I entered the journalism industry sideways as a co-creator of DSLReports.com, the popular and now defunct website focused on broadband access. The lessons I learned there were leveraged into two decades as a freelance reporter covering media, telecom, tech, and politics.

In the years since I've written for dozens of outlets, many of which have since collapsed at the hands of brunchlord mismanagement. These days, I'm a regular contributor to Techdirt.com and also work at the Institute For Local Self Reliance studying and writing about equitable broadband access.

As democratic norms collapse and autocratic corporatism devours civilization, I've found the corporate press increasingly incapable of meeting the needs of the moment, or honestly communicating what's actually happening.

I'll attempt to leverage some of what I've learned to try and fill that void.

Help Keep The Newsletter Afloat

I'm offering the newsletter free as we march toward the midterms, though if you'd like to contribute to my continued existence I've created a $5 a month, $50 a year subscription tier that should help me keep the lights on. Over time I may expand the operation to include some additional benefits for paid subscribers.

Thank you for your time, and if you think there's something I should write about or might be interested in, please don't hesitate to reach out.