Court Blocks FTC Investigation into Media Matters, Citing First Amendment Retaliation

Court Blocks FTC Investigation into Media Matters’ Alleged Scheme Against X

A significant development just occurred: a court has stepped in and halted the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) investigation into Media Matters. This nonprofit media watchdog previously published findings that showed advertisements appearing on X (formerly Twitter) right alongside neo-Nazi and antisemitic content. Back in 2023, after many advertisers left the platform, Elon Musk’s X sued Media Matters. X claimed the organization “knowingly and maliciously manufactured” these side-by-side images to deliberately drive advertisers away. Then, just this past May, the FTC began its own probe, looking into whether Media Matters violated antitrust laws by allegedly conspiring with various advertising and advocacy groups to boycott X.

However, Media Matters wasn’t backing down. In June, they turned the tables and sued the FTC themselves, arguing that the investigation was an unfair retaliatory act specifically targeting them for their past criticism of X. Media Matters stated that the FTC was trying to “punish Media Matters for its journalism and speech in exposing matters of substantial public concern — including how X.com has enabled and profited from extremist content that proliferated after Elon Musk took over the platform formerly known as Twitter.” Now, in a win for Media Matters, Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan has granted a preliminary injunction in the nonprofit’s favor.

Judge Sooknanan agreed with Media Matters, stating that the FTC’s investigation is indeed “a retaliatory act.” She highlighted that Media Matters is “likely to succeed on its First Amendment retaliation claim,” indicating a strong belief that their free speech rights were being infringed upon. In her decision, she even noted that such government probes could scare other journalists into silence. “Indeed, the FTC’s [investigation] has had its intended effect,” she wrote, pointing out that Media Matters had already “decided against pursuing certain stories about the FTC, Chairman Ferguson, and Mr. Musk” due to the ongoing probe.

Angelo Carusone, the president of Media Matters, commented to The New York Times, saying, “The court’s ruling demonstrates the importance of fighting over folding, which far too many are doing when confronted with intimidation from the Trump administration.” He affirmed, “We will continue to stand up and fight for the First Amendment rights that protect every American.” It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Media Matters has faced such challenges; courts previously blocked similar investigations launched by the attorneys general in Texas and Missouri. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s original lawsuits against the nonprofit are still moving forward.