About The Fine Print*

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

After leaving NYC legal 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 more than a dozen outlets, many of which have since collapsed at the hands of dastardly brunchlords. These days, I'm a regular contributor to Techdirt, an occasional contributor to outlets like The Verge and Dame Magazine, and also work for the nonprofit Institute For Local Self Reliance studying and writing about equitable broadband access.

As democratic norms collapse and autocratic corporatism attempts to devour civilization, I've found the corporate press increasingly incapable of meeting the needs of the moment, or honestly communicating what's actually happening. Especially as it pertains to unchecked corporate power.

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

Help Keep The Newsletter Afloat

With corporatist and right wing propaganda often free and so much reporting and analysis being paywalled, I think it's important to keep this newsletter mostly free, especially as we approach the midterms.

Though if you'd like to contribute to my continued existence I've created two patronage tiers that can 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.