Judge Blocks FTC’s Investigation into Left-Leaning Group Media Matters in First Amendment Victory
A District Court judge has issued a preliminary injunction halting the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) probe into the left-leaning advocacy group Media Matters.
In 2023, Media Matters published research revealing that ads from prominent companies were displayed alongside hate speech and offensive content on Elon Musk’s platform X. As a result, major advertisers withdrew their support from the platform, leading to lawsuits against Media Matters by X, as well as advertisers and advertising groups.
The lawsuits followed Donald Trump’s re-election in January 20XX, at which point the FTC initiated an investigation into allegations of illegal collusion between Media Matters and advertisers.
On Friday, Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan, a district court judge for the District of Columbia appointed by Joe Biden, ruled in favor of Media Matters, blocking the FTC’s probe. In her decision, Sooknanan stated that the Media Matters article represented “quintessential First Amendment activity” and expressed concerns that the FTC’s wide-ranging investigative demands may constitute a retaliatory act.
Sooknanan emphasized that it is alarming when the government takes action against individuals or organizations involved in constitutionally protected public debate, particularly those engaged in newsgathering and reporting.
In her ruling, Sooknanan noted Andrew Ferguson’s previous appearance on Steve Bannon’s podcast, where he called for the FTC to investigate progressive groups critical of online disinformation, as well as the subsequent hiring of several senior staffers at the FTC who had made public comments about Media Matters.
The FTC has yet to respond to an email from a news outlet regarding potential plans to appeal the decision.
Despite the legal proceedings’ outcome, X’s lawsuits have already had substantial repercussions on the targeted organizations. Media Matters has reduced its workforce (with one of the laid-off researchers now running for Congress), while the World Federation of Advertisers discontinued its brand safety program and reported financial drainage.
Sooknanan also noted that the FTC investigation had achieved its intended purpose, prompting Media Matters to abandon certain stories regarding the FTC, its chairman, and Elon Musk.
