“The American Conservative Union on Tuesday accused Politico of attempting to ‘cancel’ the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) by contacting potential sponsors in an act that ‘crosses the line from protected speech to political activism.’ CPAC organizers sent a scathing letter, signed by American Conservative Union general counsel David Safavian, to Politico’s CEO and top editor that promises legal action. It began by claiming Politico has ignored its ‘ethos’ to provide accurate reporting and nonpartisan impactful information. ‘We see Politico’s ethos abandoned, and instead find its reporters working, not to report news, but instead to create a self-justifying narrative to support its own partisanship'” Fox News reports.

“‘We understand that Politico reporters are calling sponsors of our national conference (CPAC) and making claims about both our chairman and our conference that are contrary to the facts. We know this because those very same potential sponsors have immediately contacted us,’ the letter continued. ‘In pushing a misleading narrative to our supporters using cooperate resources, Politico is attempting to chill sponsorship of CPAC and harm the American Conservative Union. American Conservative Union’s general counsel wrote that the effort from Politico staffers ‘amounts to tortious interference with business relationships’ that won’t be tolerated… Whether you realize it or not, you are demonstrating to our sponsors and supporters your political bias. Fortunately, most see this effort for what is it: ‘fake news,’’ the letter continued. ‘Our Founding Fathers understood that the press has a special role to play in our democracy. As such, the Framers accorded the news media with protections in the First Amendment. However, Politico’s continued campaign against the American Conservative Union crosses the line from protected speech to political activism.'”