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Draft:Media and Democracy Project

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  • Comment: All of the secondary, independent sources appear to be about one lawsuit they filed, which isn't enough to satisfy WP:NORG. Parts of this also still read too much like advocacy. For instance, there is no need to reproduce the findings of their research or their guidelines for media organisations unless these have been covered in depth by secondary sources. MCE89 (talk) 12:47, 29 June 2025 (UTC)



Media and Democracy Project
Formation2020; 5 years ago (2020)
Type501(c)4 social welfare organization
Location
Area served
United States
MethodAdvocacy
Websitehttps://www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/

The Media and Democracy Project (MAD), a media-focused public interest group, advocates for news reporting that supports democracy. MAD believes that under the second Trump administration, American democracy is under attack,[1] and that, the media, through practices such as sanewashing and horse race journalism, downplays threats to democracy.[2]

MAD, a 501(c)(4) organization based in New York City, was founded in 2020. MAD describes itself as nonpartisan. The Capital Research Center describes MAD as left-of-center.[3]

FCC petition

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In July, 2023, MAD petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deny the broadcast license renewal application of FOX affiliate WTXF-TV in Philadelphia. The petition argued that the owners of WTXF failed to meet the minimum standards of character and the obligation to operate in the public interest required by the Communications Act of 1934, to an extent "so egregious as to shock the conscience." The petition cited as evidence the judicial record of the Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuit against Fox News, which found that WTXF knowingly and repeatedly aired false narratives about the 2020 presidential election.[4][5] Comments supporting the petition were filed by founding president of Fox Broadcasting Jamie Kellner;[6] former Fox commentator Bill Kristol; former FCC chair Alfred Sikes, a Republican; and former FCC commissioner Ervin Duggan, a Democrat.[7][8] Fox characterized the petition as a frivolous assault on its First Amendment rights.[9] The FCC denied the petition in January, 2025.[10][11] MAD has appealed the denial.[12]

Other activities

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During the 2024 U.S. election campaign, MAD warned that American democracy was under attack and issued guidelines for pro-democracy reporting practices.[2]

MAD makes available to the public a list of over 2,000 community-focused news outlets across the U.S.[13][14] MAD advocates for the PRESS Act.[15] MAD is a member of the Rebuild Local News coalition[16] and is a founding member of the Prison Journalism Project.[17]

References

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  1. ^ Blinder, Robin (9 May 2025). "Liberal, conservative or just plain truthful?". Editor and Publisher.
  2. ^ a b Sullivan, Margaret (August 14, 2024). "Here's an urgently needed, pre-election reform plan for the media".
  3. ^ "Media and Democracy Project". Influence Watch.
  4. ^ Vadala, Nick (July 7, 2023). "Petition seeks to deny renewal of Fox 29′s broadcast license". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  5. ^ Feld, Harold (August 29, 2023). "My Insanely Long Field Guide to the Fox29 Philadelphia (WTFX-TV) License Renewal Challenge". Wetmachine.
  6. ^ Keys, Matthew (August 22, 2023). "First Fox president joins fight against local station's license renewal". TheDesk.
  7. ^ Keys, Matthew (July 31, 2023). "Former FCC official joins fight against WTXF license renewal". TheDesk.
  8. ^ Raynor Ave. (August 21, 2023). "License Renewal Application for Fox Philadelphia". NewsDirect.
  9. ^ Brodkin, Jon (August 24, 2023). "Fox TV license renewal may be in jeopardy as FCC invites public response". ars technica.
  10. ^ the Acting Chief, Media Bureau (January 16, 2025). "MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission.
  11. ^ Keys, Matthew (January 16, 2025). "FCC tosses petition that challenged licensed of Fox-owned WTXF". The Desk.
  12. ^ Daigon, Glenn (February 24, 2025). "Standing Up to Fox News". The Progressive Magazine.
  13. ^ DemLabs (March 29, 2024). "Media And Democracy Project: Mapping Your Local Journalist SuperHeroes". Medium.
  14. ^ Craven, Jess (June 16, 2023). "Substack Live with Qasim Rashid". Chop Wood, Carry Water.
  15. ^ "RE: PRESS Act Markup (S.2074)" (PDF). Freedom of the Press Foundation. June 4, 2024.
  16. ^ "COALITION: WHO WE REPRESENT". Rebuild Local News.
  17. ^ "Our Supporters". Prison Journalism Project.
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