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Accuracy in Media Inc

EIN 23-7135837 · Washington, DC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ACCURACY IN MEDIA, INC. WAS FOUNDED IN 1969 TO MONITOR THE ACCURACY OF NEWS REPORTING ACTIVITIES BY THE MEDIA, PROMOTE ACCURACY, FAIRNESS AND BALANCE IN NEWS REPORTING.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
8
Highest pay
$200,000, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 138% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $910,718 spent. THE ACCURACY IN MEDIA REPORT HAS CONTINUED TO PUBLICIZE AND EXPOSE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF MEDIA MISREPORTING, INCLUDING INSTANCES WHERE THE MEDIA HAVE COMPLETELY IGNORED IMPORTANT STORIES OR REPORTED THEM IN SUCH BIASED TERMS THAT MEDIA CONSUMERS RECEIVED A SKEWED IMPRESSION OF THE ISSUE THAT BEARS LITTLE RESEMBLANCE TO THE FACTS. ACCURACY IN MEIDA REPORTS AND ARTICLES EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS TO HOLD JOURNALISTS AS WELL AS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE, IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A WELL INFORMED AND FREE SOCIETY.
  2. $882,622 spent. IN ACCURACY IN MEDIA'S "ACTION ALERT" SECTION, ARTICLES HELP GIVE THE READERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ACTION. THIS ACTIVISM PROGRAM INCREASES AWARENESS AND DIRECTS INDIVIDUALS ON HOW TO PETITION OR PROTEST THE INACCURACIES FOUND IN THE MEDIA.
  3. $629,316 spent. INVESTIGATING JOURNALISM AND PUBLISHING NEWS COLUMNS THAT EXPOSE MISREPRESENTATION OF FACTS ALSO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY MISSION.
  4. CONFERENCES, CONVENTIONS AND VIDEO PRODUCTIONS THAT ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUPPORTING THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION.
  5. CONFERENCES, CONVENTIONS AND VIDEO PRODUCTIONS THAT ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUPPORTING THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1971.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.