Draft:Media and Democracy Project
Watchdog group advocating for media reform
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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]
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 meets Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion for organizations and companies. The draft requires multiple published secondary sources that:
Declined by PunjabiEditor69 8 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 meets Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion for organizations and companies. The draft requires multiple published secondary sources that:
Declined by MCE89 8 months ago.
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| Submission declined on 14 June 2025 by ToadetteEdit (talk). This draft is not written from a neutral point of view. Wikipedia articles must be written neutrally in a formal, impersonal, and dispassionate way. They should not read like a blog post, advertisement, or fan page. Rewrite the draft to remove:
Declined by ToadetteEdit 9 months ago.
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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/ |
FCC petition
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, simultaneously denying three petitions from conservatives who claimed that stations or networks had been unfair to Donald Trump.[16][17][18] The sitting FCC chair, Jessica Rosenworcel, wrote that all four requests "seek to curtail freedom of the press and undermine the First Amendment."[19] MAD has appealed the denial,[20] which is pending.[21] In November 2025, former Fox executive Padden submitted a letter to the FCC asking them to respond to the petition.[21]
Current 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.[22] Carr has reinstated multiple complaints of bias that had been dismissed under the prior chair, but not the complaint against WTXF-TV.[23]
Other activities
MAD believes that American democracy is under attack and that the media undermines democracy by misinforming voters and understating the threats to democracy.[24]
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."[25]
In 2024, MAD advocated for The PRESS Act, a journalistic freedom bill supported by the Society of Professional Journalists.[26][27] During the 2024 U.S. election campaign, MAD issued guidelines for pro-democracy reporting practices.[28]
Also in 2024, MAD joined GLAAD in demanding changes in how the New York Times covers transgender people,[29] 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.[30]
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.'"[31] In December 2025, MAD published an interview with the editor of a local Colorado newspaper that called for impeaching President Trump.[32]
In January 2026, MAD joined other organizations calling on the FCC to block the merger of Nexstar and TEGNA.[33]
MAD makes available to the public a list of over 2,000 community-focused local news outlets across the U.S.[34]
- provide significant coverage: discuss the subject in detail, excluding routine coverage like product launches, staff appointments, or financial reports and listings in databases or listicles;
- are reliable: from reputable outlets with editorial oversight;
- are independent: not connected to the subject, such as press releases, the subject's own website, or sponsored content.
Please add references that meet all three of these criteria. If none exist, the subject is not yet suitable for Wikipedia.