Media Research Center - Definition and Overview

The Media Research Center (MRC), founded in 1987 by L. Brent Bozell III. On it's website, it's mission is "to bring balance and responsibility to the news media. Leaders of America's conservative movement have long believed that within the national news media a strident liberal bias existed that influenced the public's understanding of critical issues. On October 1, 1987, a group of young determined conservatives set out to not only prove - through sound scientific research - that liberal bias in the media does exist and undermines traditional American values, but also to neutralize its impact on the American political scene. What they launched that fall is the now acclaimed --- Media Research Center (MRC)." MRC documents what it claims is widespread liberal media bias in the American press.

In July of 2002, MRC and subsidiary Parent's Television Council (PTC) paid an out-of-court settlement ending a lawsuit which had been launched by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in November of 2000. The WWE alleged 13 instances of defamation, copyright infringement and interference with prospective business relations after PTC produced a fundraising video using unauthorized WWE footage, falsely claimed WWE was responsible for the murders of four children, and falsely claimed advertisers had pulled their commercials from the show. MRC paid $3.5 million.[1] (http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A41628-2002Jul8?language=printer)

MRC and PTC President Brent Bozell wrote in a lengthy public statement that "It was wrong to have stated or implied that the WWE or any of its programs caused these tragic deaths." [2] (http://www.philly.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/wrestling/3601388.htm?1c)

See also

• Parents Television Council
• PR Watch
• Media Matters for America

External links

• Official website (http://www.mediaresearch.org/)
• Disinfopedia entry on Media Research Center (http://www.disinfopedia.org/wiki.phtml?title=Media_Research_Center)