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Media Matters for America
| Media Matters for America | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) |
| Affiliation: | Nonpartisan |
| Founder(s): | David Brock |
| Year founded: | 2004 |
| Website: | Official website |
Media Matters for America, also known as Media Matters, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Washington, D.C. According to its website, the organization is a "progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media."[1]
Since 2004, the organization has launched a number of projects, including Media Matters Action Network, Mythopedia, and the Progressive Talent Initiative. As of July 2025, the organization described its work saying, "Using the website mediamatters.org as the principal vehicle for disseminating research and information, Media Matters posts rapid-response items as well as longer research and analytic reports documenting conservative misinformation throughout the media. Additionally, Media Matters works daily to notify activists, journalists, pundits, and the general public about instances of misinformation, providing them with the resources to rebut false claims and to take direct action against offending media institutions."[1]
Background
Media Matters for America was launched in May 2004.[1] It was founded by David Brock, a formerly conservative journalist who previously worked for the American Spectator.[2] According to the organization’s website, Media Matters “put in place, for the first time, the means to systematically monitor a cross section of print, broadcast, cable, radio, and Internet media outlets for conservative misinformation - news or commentary that is not accurate, reliable, or credible and that forwards the conservative agenda - every day, in real time.”[1]
Since its beginnings, Media Matters has had a focus on monitoring Fox News. In 2011, Brock told New York Magazine, "What happened after the Obama election, I think, is that Fox morphed into something that isn’t even recognizable as a form of media. It looks more like a political committee than what it looked like pre-Obama, which was essentially talk radio on television. It’s more dangerous now; it’s more lethal."[3]
Media Matters provided the following mission statement on its website as of July 2025:[1]
| “ |
Media Matters for America is a web-based, not-for-profit, 501 (c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media.[4] |
” |
Leadership
As of July 2025, the following individuals held leadership positions at Media Matters:[5]
- Angelo Carusone, president and chief executive officer
- Pilar Martinez, chief financial officer
- Cynthia Padera, chief operating officer
- Julie Millican, vice president
- Sergio Muñoz, vice president, research & policy
Work and activities
Mythopedia
A section on the Media Matters website titled “Mythopedia” catalogues what the organization describes as false claims made by conservative pundits and politicians. It is presented as an easy-to-use reference tool, similar to an online dictionary or encyclopedia.[6]
Progressive Talent Initiative
Media Matters hosts an annual media boot camp for mid-career liberal activists called the "Progressive Talent Initiative." Participants include think tank directors, Capitol Hill staffers, campaign aides, and others. They receive intensive training on articulating progressive ideas via radio and television. By 2011, the program had trained more than 100 pundits who appeared on various news programs over 800 times.[2]
Media Matters Action Network
The Media Matters Action Network is a related 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that was started to complement Media Matters’ work. The organization tracks conservative politicians, organizations, and funders, and because of its tax status can participate in some lobbying and campaign work.[7]
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope. Know of one we missed? Click here to let us know.
Finances
The following is a breakdown of Media Matters for America's revenues and expenses from 2003 to 2023. The information comes from Internal Revenue Service reports.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | $155,204 | $71,864 |
| 2004 | $3,502,365 | $2,764,273 |
| 2005 | $8,489,663 | $3,221,480 |
| 2006 | $5,200,881 | $5,860,620 |
| 2007 | $8,720,571 | $7,955,217 |
| 2008 | $8,093,665 | $9,816,811 |
| 2009 | $6,711,993 | $8,521,484 |
| 2010 | $13,237,875 | $10,605,629 |
| 2011 | $8,303,358 | $10,476,854 |
| 2012 | $9,628,580 | $10,432,310 |
| 2013 | $12,549,513 | $11,201,222 |
| 2014 | $10,099,530 | $10,702,482 |
| 2015 | $9,215,064 | $10,102,807 |
| 2016 | $10,691,752 | $10,867,830 |
| 2017 | $11,527,337 | $12,463,082 |
| 2018 | $14,923,403 | $13,151,307 |
| 2019 | $14,164,151 | $13,594,863 |
| 2020 | $18,033,820 | $14,064,585 |
| 2021 | $18,794,929 | $15,895,193 |
| 2022 | $16,580,263 | $18,767,158 |
| 2023 | $19,564,571 | $20,789,440 |
See also
External links
- Media Matters Website
- Media Matters Action Network Website
- Media Matters on Facebook
- Media Matters on X
- Media Matters on Instagram
- Media Matters on YouTube
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Media Matters for America, "About Us," accessed July 25, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Washington Post, "Media Matters boot camp readies liberal policy wonks for the camera's close up," Mar. 22, 2011
- ↑ New York Magazine, "If I Take Down Fox, Is All Forgiven?" May 22, 2011
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Media Matters, "Leadership," accessed July 25, 2025
- ↑ Mythopedia, Home page," accessed May 26, 2015
- ↑ National Journal, "Media Matters Stakes Claim as High-Volume Watchdog," Sep. 4, 2010
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