Russel Pergament is a male journalist and newspaper publisher widely recognized as an early pioneer of free newspapers in the United States. He is the co-founder of Jewish News Syndicate and founded or published several influential free publications, including The Tabs, Metro Boston, and Boston Now in the Boston area, contributing significantly to the alternative newspaper landscape during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. His innovations in free distribution models helped shape urban media markets by providing accessible news to commuters and young readers. He is the chairman of CAMERA's board and first met Levin in the mid-1980s when she wrote an op-ed for a Boston tabloid he published; he later led the board's decision to fire Levin in 2025.