Project Censored, founded in 1976 by Carl Jensen at Sonoma State University, has as its principal objective the advocacy for and the protection of First Amendment rights, including freedom of information. The organization also highlights media bias and opposes news censorship. In his foreword to this annual book release, Ralph Nader salutes the work of this organization that has "evolved into a deep, wide and utterly engrossing exercise to unmask censorship, self-censorship, and propaganda in the mass media." For more information visit www.projectcensored.org.

Here are some of the 25 most important underreported news stories of 2013-2014:

• Ocean Acidification Increasing at Unprecedented Rate
• Top Ten U.S. Aid Recipients All Practice Torture
• Corporate Internet Providers Threaten Net Neutrality
• Bankers Back on Wall Street Despite Major Crimes
• Pentagon Awash in Money Despite Serious Audit Problems
• 2O16 Will Find Gaza Out of Drinking Water
• Questioning the Charter School Hype
• Restorative Justice Turns Violent Schools Around

As Jon Stewart and other comedians have pointed out, "Junk Food News" continues to dominate the media. For example: "In August 2013, headlines covered the anger, shock, and disgust of Americans. What could it be? The widening income gap? Sluggish economic recovery? Climate change? New drone strikes in several countries killing civilians? NO! It was Miley Cyrus's performance at the MTV Music Video Awards . . . [a] dance routine, known as twerking ." The dumbing down of the news is something which every citizen should lament. Be sure to check out Project Censored The Movie: Ending the Reign of Junk Food News.