It’s now been two weeks since my series (parts I, II and III) on the Minnesota Monitor’s shoddy journalistic practices, including slipshod attribution at the very least, and in the worst case plagiarism.
As noted in last week’s followup, the Monitor’s “Code of Ethics” not only frowns on both, but bids the “Citizen Journalist” to…:
Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
In the past two weeks, we’ve noticed a few things; Jeff Fecke (the subject of the series) has become a fanatic attributor.
But we’ve noticed no admission from the Monitor. No correction. No retroactive statement about the attribution of any of the quotes.
No answer to my fairly direct question: “Were the quotes plagiarized?”
Or “if not, where did they come from?”
Where is the admission?
Does the Minnesota Monitor hold intellectual honesty (to say nothing of the Associated Press’ intellectual property – which is, indeed, what their content is) so cheaply? Or is that below the prerogatives of the paid-for leftyblogosphere?
When will they start to follow their “Code of Ethics?”
Mitch,
There is fairly compelling evidence that the Center for Independent Media is organized as a 501(c)(3) public charity. The CIM pays stipends to all of the MiniMoni bloggers, and requires them to write not only for MiniMoni, but to also publish their own blogs.
IRS rules for 501(c)(3) bars them from being active in politics, with pretty precise guidelines for what is permitted and what is not permitted. It seems like these rules should apply to not only MiniMoni, but also to the blogs that are operated by the CIM fellows.
Do you know any Tax lawyers in MOB that might be able to comment on this?
Good question.
Lawyers?
I think it’s a 527, not a 501(c).
Why do you think that?
I’ve read the on-line websites for a couple of foundations that have given grants to CIM. Both of those foundations require their grantees to be 501(c)3. Also the tax filings for one of those foundations indicated that their donations were all tax-deductible. Donations to 527 are not tax deductible, so the foundations would have had to pay income tax on there contributions.
From the Surdna Foundation.
“Nonprofit organizations must generally have a valid tax exemption status under Section 501(c) (3) or 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and be classified as a public charity and not as a “private foundation” under Section 509(a). ”
From Brett Family Foundation
“Letters of Inquiry should not exceed three pages and should include:….
6. Copy of current 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS; and
I know Media Matters is a 527.
It’d be interesting to see what CIM is.
“Why do you think that?
“I’ve read the on-line websites for a couple of foundations that have given grants to CIM.”
You’re reading the wrong websites. This is the only one that counts:
http://apps.irs.gov/app/pub78
Go ahead. Do a search for CIM. Nothing pops up.
“Both of those foundations require their grantees to be 501(c)3. Also the tax filings for one of those foundations indicated that their donations were all tax-deductible. Donations to 527 are not tax deductible, so the foundations would have had to pay income tax on there contributions. ”
Manybe because they made an error in their filings (it’s been known to happen). Perhaps they were cheating on their return (it’s been known to happen) Perhaps they made an exception in this case (as has been known to happen).
Or maybe CIM is organized under a different name…
The Brett Family Foundation gave a grant to CIM in 2006. In their tax filings, for 2005, and 2004, they indicated that they gave no grants to any organization that were not a charitable organization.
But they didn’t indicate same for 2006…?
“Go ahead. Do a search for CIM. Nothing pops up.”
I’ve done that. But if CIM is a 501(c)(3) or a 527 it only filed papers in 2006. Maybe the IRS on-line data is not up to date. Do you have any indication that it’s a 527 other than the no-hit on the IRS search?
The 2006 990’s hold the key to their status, and they’re not on-line yet. I can’t imagine that a foundation would cheat on their returns for a $5000 grant to CIM, but I know that the Brett Foundation does deviate from their guidelines.
“But they didn’t indicate same for 2006…?”
I can’t access their 2006 990’s online yet.
The online Pub 78 said it was up to date through March 2007. I can almost guarantee you that it’s not a 501(c)(3).
From the irs.gov website
“Generally, an organization required to apply for recognition of exemption must file a properly completed and executed Form 1023 with the Service within 27 months from the end of the month in which it was organized for its exemption to be effective from its date of formation. This deadline can be extended if the organization meets certain requirements.”
27 months??? Perhaps they haven’t filed their Form 1023 yet.
One other thing – if CIM were a 501(c)(3) organization – i.e. a group that is funded by the generosity of others – wouldn’t you think they’d make it a lot easier to donate. There’s nothing on their (apparently hastily dashed off and later abandoned) homepage, and none of CIM baby blogs have a “donate” link.
Generally, charitable organizations make it as easy as possible for anyone who wants to donate.
Unless you’re tied into the gravytrain of progressive foundations, and don’t need public donations.
Or, CIM is claiming to just be “training bloggers” (non-political), and what these bloggers do with their “training” is up to them (political). This allows CIM to get money from wealthy liberals through progressive foundations, yet insulates itself from any direct political activity.
More evidence
“The Sunlight Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) educational organization, is designed to use the transformative power of the Internet and new information technology…..”
Sunlight Foundation grant to CIM
“$100,000 to the Center for Independent Media. This grant will support the Center’s efforts to strengthen its New Journalist Program by establishing a national branch in Washington, DC…..”
I don’t think a 501(c)(3) can give grants to 527.
Hold that thought.
There’ll be more tomorrow. Though not necessarly on this whole tax election topic.
Here or at KAR?
Possibly both.
Stay tuned.
A hat tip in my direction wouldn’t kill you…..
Mitch said: “I know Media Matters is a 527.”
Media Matters for America is a 501(c)(3). It popped up on Foot’s IRS charity search link.
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