
	September 20, 2007

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Dear Friend,

Last week, I wrote you about our latest report, "Black and White and Re(a)d All Over: The Conservative Advantage in Syndicated Op-Ed Columns," a comprehensive and unprecedented analysis of nationally syndicated columnists from nearly every daily newspaper in America.

Since its release, the report has generated a great deal of buzz in the media and the blogosphere. Our findings underscore what many have suspected for years -- that nationally syndicated conservative columnists are carried in far more newspapers, with much greater audience reach than their progressive counterparts, giving them a distinct advantage in the marketplace of ideas.

It's up to each of us to take action and help end the conservative advantage today.

» Look Up Your Local Papers and Take Action!

One of the best ways to fight back against the institutional advantage conservatives enjoy in the media is by voicing your concerns on the local level -- Media Matters for America has developed a special online tool to help you do just that.

Using this special tool, you'll be able to look up important data concerning the syndicated columnists your local newspaper chooses to run each week. If your paper's use of syndicated op-ed columnists is not balanced, use the tool to contact them directly and encourage them to print more syndicated progressive columnists. Let them know you expect to see a diversity of opinions on their pages, not just more of the same, week after week. If your local paper does have a rough balance, don't overlook them -- make sure to write or call and let them know you appreciate the diversity of voices they offer with their selection of nationally syndicated columnists.

» Look Up Your Local Papers and Take Action!

Over the past week, our new report has been covered in an increasing number of media outlets and blogs:

"[Media Matters] found that 60 percent of the daily newspapers print more conservative syndicated columnists each week than liberals. Twenty percent of the papers are dominated by liberals and 20 percent are balanced." -- Associated Press, 9/11/07

"Media Matters proves again how invaluable it is to the progressive movement, this time with an exhaustive report on the reach of conservative syndicated columnists. " -- McJoan @ Daily Kos, 9/12/2007

"Have you heard the one about the liberal media? It's a big fallacy, according to Media Matters for America. Or at least it is on op-ed pages. The group produced a report last week suggesting America's op-ed pages are dominated by conservative columnists. It's an interesting finding, if true." -- The Denver Post, 9/14/07

"I wanted to highlight this new study released today by Media Matters which finds that - surprise, surprise - newspapers run far more conservative syndicated writers than progressive syndicated writers. The report shows that the bias is on par with Fox News' definition of 'fair and balanced' - that is, it is entirely unfair and unbalanced." -- David Sirota @ The Huffington Post, 9/11/2007

» Look Up Your Local Papers and Take Action!

"Media Matters for America, the progressive journalistic watchdog group, is patting itself on the back today for discovering that most of the syndicated columns in the nation's newspapers skew conservative. So much for the myth of the liberal media." -- Chicago Tribune, 9/12/07

"The results of the Media Matters survey on the use of political pundits is welcome news, especially as a response to those who have long claimed that there is a liberal media bias." -- Keith Runyon in The Louisville Courier-Journal, 9/14/07

"Media Matters has dissected that famous liberal media and, big surprise, it's not in this country." -- Egalia @ Tennessee Guerilla Women, 9/12/2007

"The Media Matters report on the play of syndicated columnists in American daily newspapers confirmed what everybody in the business already knows -- that, statistically, newspapers publish more syndicated conservatives than liberals." -- The Washington Post Writers Group Blog, 09/14/07

As you can see, our report is already having an impact, but with your help, we can be even more effective.

» Look Up Your Local Papers and Take Action!

The action we take today and in the weeks and months ahead will have a lasting and profound effect if we each do our part. I encourage you to contact your local newspaper -- call on them to provide a diversity of opinions with the nationally syndicated columns they choose to run. Together we can bring more progressive voices to the op-ed pages that millions of Americans read each week.

Thank you once again for your continued support.

Sincerely,

David Brock,
President and CEO
Media Matters for America

P.S. Don't forget to read the report, forward it on to your friends, family, and co-workers, and contact your local paper.

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