Revoke the Non-Profit Status of Media Matters for America / MediaMatters.org
Protect freedom of speech: expose political outfits illegally posing as non-profit organizations
We are petitioning your office today in hopes of drawing your attention to an unlawful tax exemption enjoyed by a non-profit 501(c)(3) called ?Media Matters for America,? or ?MediaMatters.org,? in hopes that policy makers take action to revoke their non-profit status.
Media Matters for America (MMA) falsely categorizes itself as a non-partisan news watchdog. Nothing could be further from the truth.
? MMA draws upon funding from left-wing organizations.
? MMA targets conservative voices in the American media.
? MMA picks public relations wars against FOX News and other outlets; news outlets which do, to point, pay taxes.
In fact, MMA explicitly states this partisan mission in their 88-page application for tax-exempt status, which attacks conservative news bias but says nothing of liberal news bias:
?It is common for news and commentary by the press to present viewpoints that tend to overly promote corporate interests, rights of the wealthy, and a conservative Christian-influenced ideology??
http://www.scribd.com/doc/89098113/Media-Matters-Form-1023-Attachments
This runs counter to the exemption requirements set forth by the Internal Revenue Service, which clearly states:
?To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.?
http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=96099,00.html
We are not asking for the stifling of free speech. To the contrary, MMA and similar political outfits can and should exercise their 1st Amendment rights to be heard. Instead, what we are requesting is a frank assessment of their partisan activities and history as a political organization, and that you move to revoke the undue non-profit status of MMA. We feel that opinion and partisan activity boasts a rich history in the United States, but is not to be subsidized by the US taxpayer through undeserved exemptions.
We respectfully thank you for your time.
Media Matters for America (MMA) falsely categorizes itself as a non-partisan news watchdog. Nothing could be further from the truth.
? MMA draws upon funding from left-wing organizations.
? MMA targets conservative voices in the American media.
? MMA picks public relations wars against FOX News and other outlets; news outlets which do, to point, pay taxes.
In fact, MMA explicitly states this partisan mission in their 88-page application for tax-exempt status, which attacks conservative news bias but says nothing of liberal news bias:
?It is common for news and commentary by the press to present viewpoints that tend to overly promote corporate interests, rights of the wealthy, and a conservative Christian-influenced ideology??
http://www.scribd.com/doc/89098113/Media-Matters-Form-1023-Attachments
This runs counter to the exemption requirements set forth by the Internal Revenue Service, which clearly states:
?To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.?
http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=96099,00.html
We are not asking for the stifling of free speech. To the contrary, MMA and similar political outfits can and should exercise their 1st Amendment rights to be heard. Instead, what we are requesting is a frank assessment of their partisan activities and history as a political organization, and that you move to revoke the undue non-profit status of MMA. We feel that opinion and partisan activity boasts a rich history in the United States, but is not to be subsidized by the US taxpayer through undeserved exemptions.
We respectfully thank you for your time.
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