Free Press fails to disclose funding after congressional request

Free Press Communications Director Dave Saldana defended the group by saying it was waiting for a formal request from Blackburn. 

“Rep. Blackburn never formally requested information about our donors. During research director Derek Turner’s testimony, she asked him about our funding, and he replied that we take no corporate or government money, and that all of our funding comes from private donors and foundations,” he said. “Since then, we have been waiting for her to submit her inquiry in writing for the record, and we haven’t received any such thing.”

Saldana questioned Blackburn for calling on the House to scrutinize Free Press. 

“So, Rep. Blackburn is demanding that we be investigated for not responding to a request we never received. Our offer still stands: send us your questions, and we will respond with as much candor as permitted by law,” he said.

Let’s go to the videotape. Watch below, starting around the 2:50 mark, to decide whether Free Press should have submitted the reply based on this the hearing request, or whether it was reasonable to expect a follow-up letter.

BLACKBURN: Will you submit your funding? 

TURNER: Absolutely, I’d be pleased to, yes.