In an era where the lines between truth and disinformation are increasingly blurred, the Media and Democracy Project (MAD) has emerged as a non-partisan, all-volunteer organization that aims to ensure public information's integrity. Founded by individuals who believe that a healthy democracy relies on accurate and reliable journalism, MAD is actively working to hold media outlets accountable, combat disinformation and support local journalism. In this episode, we chat with Milo Vassallo, the executive director, and Brian Hansbury, one of the founders, as they shared insights into their mission and current initiatives.
Holding media accountable
One of MAD’s most high-profile efforts has been their petition to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reconsider the license of a Fox affiliate in Philadelphia. This action stems from what MAD views as violating the FCC’s character qualification rules — a standard that requires license holders to demonstrate integrity and reliability. Vassallo explained the rationale behind this campaign: “We’ve asked the FCC to hold a hearing on whether Fox News and the Murdochs, based on election lies revealed in the Dominion lawsuit, should be disqualified from getting a re-licensure of a local TV station affiliate.”
This effort, which has garnered support from a bipartisan coalition including former FCC officials and former Fox executives, underscores MAD’s commitment to media accountability. “It’s not just about the content being broadcast,” Vassallo emphasized. “It’s about the larger question of whether the Fox News Corporation and the Murdoch representatives have violated the FCC’s character qualification law rules.”
Hansbury elaborated on the legal precedent for their case, noting that the FCC has previously revoked broadcast licenses for non-broadcast misconduct. “The FCC has taken away broadcast licenses from companies like RKO for misconduct outside of the broadcast realm,” he said. “We’re asking them to apply those same standards to Fox and the Murdochs and not allow them to renew their license.”
Advocating for ethical election coverage
MAD is also focused on improving the quality of election coverage in the U.S. In a recent open letter titled “Pro-Democracy 2024 Election Coverage Guidelines,” the organization called on media outlets to prioritize truth and integrity in their reporting. The letter highlights several key recommendations, including accurate headlines, substantive coverage of issues that matter to voters and holding politicians accountable for their statements and actions.
Hansbury, who played a significant role in drafting the letter, expressed frustration with the current state of election coverage. “What we’ve seen for years now is a failure to, with the appropriate prominence and frequency, address something unprecedented in American history: the abject lying about elections and the refusal to accept their outcomes,” he said. He stressed the importance of a “newsroom reset” in the months leading up to the 2024 election to ensure that voters are fully informed about the threats to democracy.
MAD’s call for better election coverage is rooted in a belief that journalism has a moral obligation to the public. Hansbury argued that news organizations must go beyond merely reporting the news and take a stand against disinformation. “There is room for morality in journalism,” he stated. “We have to expect that instead of just maintaining access, allowing lies to slip through for those reasons of access, that instead we call these things out, describe them for Americans and contextualize when false things are being said.”
A grassroots movement
Despite the significant impact of its initiatives, MAD remains a small, grassroots organization funded entirely by small donors. Vassallo described the organization as "a very small but effective organization" and emphasized its reliance on crowd-funding. “We have no oligarchs funding us,” he said. “We’re always looking for donations, and for those who are interested, they can go to our website.”
The organization draws inspiration from prominent figures in journalism and media criticism, including Jay Rosen, Margaret Sullivan and Nicole Hannah-Jones. “We find inspiration in these figures and share their philosophy that journalism can do better,” Vassallo said. MAD aims to mobilize public support for journalism through legislative solutions like the Local Journalism Sustainability Act and other initiatives addressing the journalism crisis in America.
The importance of media in democracy
At its core, MAD claims its mission is to uphold the essential role of media in a functioning democracy. Vassallo stressed that the organization does not see its work as adversarial but as a necessary response to the challenges facing journalism today. “We’re reflecting and mirroring as consumers, but also fellow citizens, that we think editors and publishers must emphasize democracy at a time when democracy itself is literally at stake,” he said.
Hansbury echoed this sentiment, noting that MAD’s work is about ensuring that the media remains a reliable source of information for the public. “We have to appeal to morality,” he said. “We have to value truth and democracy in our country.”
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DaryMat
No mention of any of the lies pitched by the bias and bigoted mainstream media. Russian collusion hoax. Hunter's laptop. Biden's health. Kamala flip flopping on virtually every issue. Nothing. Just Fox. This is another left wing bias organization.
Friday, August 16 Report this
BanishBias
"Non-partisan"? Are you kidding? This is a nakedly partisan organization. Jay Rosen? Margaret Sullivan? Nicole Hannah-Jones? They all have some journalistic cred, to be sure, but they're all aligned way to the left of the political center, and, more important, all now have disturbingly illiberal views about the First Amendment. Come on, E&P. You should avoid outright bias; at the very least, you shouldn't inject it so shamelessly into the lead item on your home page.
Friday, August 16 Report this