C-SPAN: prayer breakfast "not an official government event"

This morning's National Prayer Breakfast is winding down. Even though C-SPAN chose to telecast this event, it's encouraging that they disclosed a few critical facts about the breakfast.

Whether C-SPAN did so in response to CREW's request (made in this letter) or simply acted on its own, the network posted the name of the sponsoring organization -- the shadowy and disturbing Fellowship Foundation, also known as "The Family." At a few points, C-SPAN also posted the words "not an official government event" on the screen for TV viewers to see. Up until now, many Americans have incorrectly assumed it was a government-sponsored event.

A host of media have covered the concerns raised by CREW about the prayer breakfast, including the New York Times, CNN and The Hill newspaper.

CREW's Melanie Sloan told the Times that CREW is in no way suggesting the Fellowship should not "be allowed to hold their breakfast; of course they should. The question is: Should American officials be lending legitimacy to it, giving their imprimatur by showing up."

Click here to read CREW's letter urging President Obama and members of Congress not to attend the event.

Click here to read our letter to C-SPAN asking the network not to broadcast the Fellowship-sponsored breakfast or, at the very least, to provide proper context so the public realizes this is not an official government event.

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