A new report has revealed that hundreds of thousands of Texas taxpayer dollars have been spent on major media outlets, with The Dallas Morning News emerging as the largest recipient of state funds.
According to a review of state spending records, Texas agencies have funneled $428,096 to the newspaper since 2016. In all, legacy media outlets have pocketed nearly $6.7 million over the past nine years.
The Texas Military Department and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality appear to be the largest contributors to DMN’s coffers. Both agencies spent thousands of dollars on advertisements.
The revelations have raised questions about journalistic integrity and whether outlets that receive taxpayer dollars can remain truly objective.
Michael Quinn Sullivan of Texas Scorecard, who first reported on the state spending spree on far-left media outlets, called the practice troubling, especially given that many of these outlets portray themselves as independent watchdogs.
“I think it’s unfortunate that individuals who want to position themselves as being ‘independent’ when they’re reporting the news are, nonetheless, putting their hand out and taking cash from those they’re reporting on,” Sullivan said.
The Dallas Morning News is not alone.
The Texas Tribune, which has ties to progressive financier George Soros, received $342,850, while the Austin-based Quorum Report collected $173,911. National outlet Politico received more than $253,050 from Texas agencies, and other mainstream newspapers such as the Houston Chronicle, Austin American-Statesman, San Antonio Express-News, and Fort Worth Star-Telegram also benefited from taxpayer dollars.
Sullivan questioned why state funds were ever allocated to media organizations, arguing it gives the appearance of impropriety. Critics say this raises concerns about government-funded journalism and the potential for bias.
The office of Texas State Comptroller Glenn Hegar was contacted for comment but has not responded.