The Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) is a progressive nonprofit investigative watchdog and advocacy organization founded in 1993 by journalist and author John Stauber in Madison, Wisconsin. It investigates and exposes corruption, dark money in politics, and undue corporate and political influence on democracy, media, and public policy, with a focus on exposing corporate influence, right-wing funding, and threats to democracy. CMD conducts in-depth investigative research and journalism to uncover networks of power that undermine environmental protection, economic prosperity, and democratic processes. The organization has been led by figures such as Lisa Graves, a former Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice, who has served as its executive director and continues to drive its efforts against right-wing funding and policy influence. CMD is known for its adversarial stance toward conservative foundations, including investigations into the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, highlighting their role in funding anti-democratic initiatives.

CMD operates several key online platforms to disseminate its findings and monitor corporate and political influence, including SourceWatch.org (formerly Disinfopedia), a collaborative research wiki tracking corporations, think tanks, and lobbying groups; PRWatch; ALECexposed.org, which reveals the activities of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and model legislation pushed by corporate interests; and ExposedbyCMD.org, focusing on dark money and election influence. These resources have been widely cited by major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Washington Post, as well as broadcast programs on HBO, PBS, and NPR. The organization's reporting often critiques the role of wealthy donors and special interests in shaping policy, contributing to public awareness and accountability efforts.

As a small but influential entity, CMD partners with journalists, activists, and other nonprofits to amplify its impact, though it has faced criticism from conservative sources portraying it as a partisan operation rather than an independent media group. Despite its progressive orientation, CMD's work emphasizes transparency and has influenced legal and policy debates, including challenges to undisclosed political spending following the Citizens United decision. Its investigations into funding networks, such as those supporting climate denial and voter suppression, underscore its role in mapping influence networks within American politics.