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Media Research Center

Media Research Center
FoundedOctober 1, 1987
FounderL. Brent Bozell III
Type501(c)(3) nonprofit[1]
FocusAllegations of liberal media bias
Location
MethodEditorials, online newsletters, reports, conservative activism, right-wing activism
Key people
Tim Graham, Rich Noyes, Brent Baker, Dan Schneider
Websitemrc.org

The Media Research Center (MRC), formerly known as Culture and Media Institute (CMI), is an American conservative content analysis and media watchdog group based in Herndon, Virginia, and founded in 1987 by L. Brent Bozell III.[2]

The CMI promoted its mission through editorials and research reports. In March 2007, the CMI published a "National Cultural Values Survey" and concluded from its results that most Americans perceived a decline in moral values.[3] One study released by the organization in June 2007 claimed that television viewing time correlated directly with one's liberal attitude, even possibly degrading to moral attitudes.[4] In 2008, it published a report detailing its opposition to reinstatement of the FCC fairness doctrine, a policy requiring broadcasters to present differing views on controversial issues of public import. The MRC claims the rule had been politically weaponized by the Kennedy and Johnson administrations to suppress conservative radio, before being abolished by a bipartisan FCC in 1987.[5]

The nonprofit MRC has received financial support primarily from Robert Mercer,[6] but with several other conservative-leaning sources, including the Bradley, Scaife, Olin, Castle Rock, Carthage and JM foundations, as well as ExxonMobil.[7][8][9] It has been described as "one of the most active and best-funded, and yet least known" arms of the modern conservative movement in the United States.[10] The organization rejects the scientific consensus on climate change and criticizes media coverage that reflects the scientific consensus.[8][11]

  1. ^ "Media Research Center, Inc. – GuideStar Profile". Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  2. ^ Goldmacher, Shane; Alberta, Tim (December 8, 2014). "The Right Wing's Facebook Army: How ForAmerica became a force to be reckoned with in politics". The Atlantic. National Journal. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  3. ^ Wetzstein, Cheryl (March 8, 2007). "Americans see media aiding moral decline". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on March 10, 2007.
  4. ^ Fitzpatrick, Brian (June 12, 2007). "Does Watching TV Damage Character?". Human Events. Archived from the original on June 13, 2007. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  5. ^ "Report: Unmasking the Myths Behind the Fairness Doctrine" (Press release). Media Research Center. June 10, 2008. Archived from the original on October 24, 2008.
  6. ^ Cadwalladr, Carole (February 26, 2017). "Robert Mercer: the big data billionaire waging war on mainstream media". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference funding1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference funding2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference MotherJonesExxon was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Alberta, Tim (April 26, 2018). "The Deep Roots of Trump's War on the Press". Politico. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).