The "Libertarian" think tank Reason Foundation is getting plenty of press this morning for their latest public relations effort, which attacks city-run wireless networks. Note how some papers report this as an objective analysis, while others note that the group recently received a $100,000 grant from AT&T. Reason promises, though, that the money did not fund this latest study.

It's important for the press to point out that these aren't objective scientists and researchers as much as they are ideological crusaders and public relations gurus who tinker with statistics until they support their corporate donors' economic positions (less government oversight, privatization, deregulation). Assuming it's true that Reason's primary goal is to eliminate municipal broadband and not to objectively study it--what good is their analysis in the realm of economic science?

As we reported, Reason recently joined forces with a slew of similarly incumbent-funded think tanks to issue an anti-municipal broadband manifesto. Among other things, the groups suggest banning your town and city from providing their own broadband services, even if incumbent providers refuse to serve your area and your community has voted democratically to do something about it.