Bill O'Reilly
The O'Reilly Factor
FOX News Channel
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036

August 9, 2004

Dear Mr. O'Reilly,

You might remember I wrote to you on May 19 requesting to appear on your show to address the attacks on philanthropist George Soros. On June 1, The O'Reilly Factor refused my request. While your producer reasoned that you would not be pursuing the subject of Mr. Soros any longer, you continued to issue unrebutted attacks against Mr. Soros on both your radio and television shows.

It is for this reason that I was so surprised to hear you say on the August 5 edition of The O'Reilly Factor that you are having trouble finding guests to substantiate and defend their criticisms of you and your show. In fact, you accused your critics of “hiding.”

Media Matters for America would be glad to remedy the dearth of people willing to be guests on your show. I would like to extend my earlier request to appear, at a mutually convenient time, on The O'Reilly Factor to engage in this important debate.

And since you saw fit to compare us to Fidel Castro and the Ku Klux Klan on the August 7 edition of CNBC's Tim Russert, I'm sure we'll have plenty to talk about.

I look forward to hearing from you. My office telephone is [].

Sincerely,

David Brock
President and CEO
Media Matters for America

CC: Roger Ailes
CC: John Moody