Draft:Media and Democracy Project
Submission declined on 1 September 2025 by Ca (talk).
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| Submission declined on 9 July 2025 by PunjabiEditor69 (talk). This draft's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article. In summary, the draft needs multiple published sources that are: Declined by PunjabiEditor69 5 months ago.
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| Submission declined on 29 June 2025 by MCE89 (talk). This draft's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article. In summary, the draft needs multiple published sources that are: Declined by MCE89 5 months ago.
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| Submission declined on 14 June 2025 by ToadetteEdit (talk). This submission does not appear to be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. Entries should be written from a neutral point of view, and should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources. Please rewrite your submission in a more encyclopedic format. Please make sure to avoid peacock terms that promote the subject. Declined by ToadetteEdit 5 months ago. | |
Comment: Seems to be a organization notable for only one event, and discussion of the organization's other activities by reliable independent sources are sparse and minimal. Ca talk to me! 11:41, 1 September 2025 (UTC)
- 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)
| Formation | 2020 |
|---|---|
| Type | 501(c)4 social welfare organization |
| Location | |
Area served | United States |
| Method | Advocacy |
| Website | https://www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/ |
The Media and Democracy Project (MAD), a media-focused public interest group, advocates for news reporting that supports democracy. MAD, a 501(c)(4) organization based in New York City, was founded in 2020.[1] MAD describes itself as nonpartisan.[2] The Capital Research Center describes MAD as left-of-center.[1] MAD is entirely run by volunteers.[3]
FCC petition
[edit]In July, 2023, MAD petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deny the broadcast license renewal application of FOX affiliate WTXF-TV in Philadelphia.[4][5][6] 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.[7][8] Comments supporting the petition were filed by founding president of Fox Broadcasting Jamie Kellner;[9] former Fox executive Preston Padden;[10][11] former FCC chair Alfred Sikes, a Republican;[12] and former FCC commissioner Ervin Duggan, a Democrat.[12][13] Fox characterized the petition as a frivolous assault on its First Amendment rights.[14] The FCC took the unusual step of requesting comments on the license renewal,[15][2] but eventually denied MAD's petition in January, 2025.[16][17] MAD has appealed the denial.[18]
FCC Chair Brendan Carr has referred to MAD's suit as precedent for an investigation into CBS regarding a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris.[19]
Other activities
[edit]MAD believes that American democracy is under attack and that the media undermines democracy by misinforming voters and understating the threats to democracy.[20]
In 2022, MAD joined news organizations in a demand that the Pulitzer Prizes "require transparency in diversity reporting in order for news organizations to be eligible to receive awards."[21]
In 2024, MAD advocated for The PRESS Act, a journalistic freedom bill supported by the Society of Professional Journalists.[22][23] During the 2024 U.S. election campaign, MAD issued guidelines for pro-democracy reporting practices.[24]
Also in 2024, MAD joined GLAAD in demanding changes in how the New York Times covers transgender people,[25] and called on the Times to hire a public editor, a position the Times had previously eliminated. The public editor is an ombudsperson who helps the newspaper uphold high ethical standards.[26]
In May 2025, MAD cofounder Jonathan Reiss suggested news organizations stop using the word "conservative" to describe the Trump administration's policies: "If fascist is a bridge too far, autocratic, corrupt and dictatorial would all be more appropriate terms than 'conservative.'"[27] In December 2025, MAD published an interview with the editor of a local Colorado newspaper that called for impeaching President Trump.[28]
MAD makes available to the public a list of over 2,000 community-focused local news outlets across the U.S.[29]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Media and Democracy Project". Influence Watch.
- ^ a b Shields, Todd (August 23, 2023). "FCC Invites Comment on Request to Deny Fox TV License Renewal". Bloomberg.
- ^ E, Robin Blinder | for; Magazine, P. (2025-04-09). "Liberal, conservative or just plain truthful?". Editor and Publisher. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
- ^ Patten, Dominic (July 6, 2023). "Fox Faces FCC License Threat Over False Election Claims & Jan. 6 Attack". DEADLINE.
- ^ Hearn, Ted (March 15, 2024). "Meet the NYC Doctor Urging the FCC To Revoke Fox Corp.'s TV License in Philadelphia". Policyband.
- ^ Burleigh, Nina (December 28, 2023). "Biden's Other Formidable Opponent in 2024". The New Republic.
- ^ Vadala, Nick (July 7, 2023). "Petition seeks to deny renewal of Fox 29′s broadcast license". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^ Feld, Harold (August 29, 2023). "My Insanely Long Field Guide to the Fox29 Philadelphia (WTFX-TV) License Renewal Challenge". Wetmachine.
- ^ Keys, Matthew (August 22, 2023). "First Fox president joins fight against local station's license renewal". TheDesk.
- ^ Fahri, Paul (August 9, 2023). "An architect of Fox's success picks a new target: Fox". The Washington Post.
- ^ Folkenflik, David (August 9, 2023). "A former Fox executive now argues Murdoch is unfit to own TV stations". NPR.
- ^ a b Hearn, Ted (June 13, 2024). "D.C. Memo: Foul Ball! MAD Balks at Phillies for Backing Murdochs in TV License Fight at FCC". policyband.
- ^ Keys, Matthew (July 31, 2023). "Former FCC official joins fight against WTXF license renewal". TheDesk.
- ^ Brodkin, Jon (August 24, 2023). "Fox TV license renewal may be in jeopardy as FCC invites public response". ars technica.
- ^ Nicolaou, Anna (November 16, 2023). "A Fox test case looms for US media regulators". Financial Times.
- ^ the Acting Chief, Media Bureau (January 16, 2025). "MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ Keys, Matthew (January 16, 2025). "FCC tosses petition that challenged licensed of Fox-owned WTXF". The Desk.
- ^ Daigon, Glenn (February 24, 2025). "Standing Up to Fox News". The Progressive Magazine.
- ^ Reporter, Corbin Bolies Media (2025-02-10). "Trump's MAGA Media Enforcer Is Having 'the Time of His Life'". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
No, not at all," Carr said. "It's actually interesting. Here is a precedent we're following is the precedent that the Democrat FCC set when it came to Fox. There was a complaint lodged against Fox, and so they opened up a public proceeding on that. And we're simply applying that precedent.
- ^ "We're Demanding That Newsrooms Improve Their 2024 Election Coverage". Media and Democracy Project.
- ^ "NABJ Joins Call for Pulitzers to Require News Orgs to Make Diversity Reporting Award Criteria". 2022-04-26. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
- ^ Fazio, Denise (2024-06-07). "The PRESS Act would ensure a free and fair media". Colorado Newsline. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
- ^ "The PRESS Act: What it is, and why it's important to get it passed". Society of Professional Journalists. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
- ^ Sullivan, Margaret (August 14, 2024). "Here's an urgently needed, pre-election reform plan for the media".
- ^ Producer, Heidi Spillum, Web (2024-02-15). "ONE YEAR SINCE 100+ LGBTQ ORGANIZATIONS AND NOTABLES CALLED OUT NEW YORK TIMES' INACCURATE, BIASED COVERAGE OF TRANSGENDER PEOPLE: WHAT HAS CHANGED? | GLAAD". Retrieved 2025-08-18.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Blinder, Mike (June 22, 2024). "Margaret Sullivan on The Post turmoil and media's role in 2024 election". Editor & Publisher. Event occurs at 15:00.
- ^ E, Jonathan Reiss | for; Magazine, P. (2025-05-09). "America and our democracy are under attack". Editor and Publisher. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
- ^ Sullivan, Margaret (December 8, 2025). "Trust in mainstream media is at rock bottom. Can it be fixed?".
- ^ "Local Journalism Pays You Back". Media and Democracy Project.
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