In the world of Fox News, saying someone is affiliated with George Soros is akin to (no, actually worse than) saying someone is affiliated with the pagan god Ba’al. So it’s always been a little bit mystifying why FNC’s sworn enemy, Media Matters, cared so much over the years when conservative pundits accused them of being funded by the Hungarian billionaire and political activist. But care they did, and they spent years vigorously denying it (while Soros hadn’t yet directly donated, groups he backed like MoveOn.com had supported Media Matters). Now, however, it’s official: George Soros has donated $1 million directly to the watchdog group. “In view of recent evidence suggesting that the incendiary rhetoric of Fox News hosts may incite violence, I have now decided to support the organization,” Soros said today. “Media Matters is one of the few groups that attempts to hold Fox News accountable for the false and misleading information they so often broadcast.”
Soros has until now famously stayed further away from this election than he has with the ones in 2004, 2006, and 2008. But apparently, his hatred of Fox News and Glenn Beck in particular was enough to draw him out again. “Fox has allowed Glenn Beck’s show to become an out-of-control vehicle for the potential incitement of domestic terrorism,” said Media Matters founder David Brock in a statement. “We are especially pleased that in this moment of hidden right-wing billionaire money corrupting our democracy, Mr. Soros, upon deciding to support our efforts, quickly and transparently has made that support public.” (We assume he is referring to this.)
“We’ve always maintained and have said many times before when people accused us of being Soros funded that 1. We weren’t and 2. We would be happy to accept his support,” a Media Matters spokeswoman told us in an e-mail this afternoon. “We previously denied any attachment to Soros because previously it wasn’t true. So there’s been no switch in our attitude.” Well, except probably that they’re pretty psyched to have all that moolah.
Soros announces FIRST ever contribution to Media Matters [Media Matters]
