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7h ago

Judge Halts FTC Investigation of Media Matters, Citing Free Speech Retaliation

It bars enforcement of an FTC document demand into its advertiser contacts on grounds that the probe likely chilled protected newsgathering.

The Federal Trade Commission headquarters in Washington, DC, on March 19.
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Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan granted a preliminary injunction on August 15 stopping the FTC’s civil investigative demand for Media Matters’ records.
  • The court found evidence of retaliatory animus under Chairman Andrew Ferguson and ruled that the probe likely violated First Amendment protections.
  • The FTC sought documents detailing Media Matters’ communications with advertiser coalitions such as the Global Alliance for Responsible Media.
  • Media Matters has laid off staff and reported severe financial strain from mounting legal bills tied to the FTC inquiry and parallel lawsuits.
  • Separate suits by Elon Musk and cross-jurisdictional challenges by Media Matters remain active, leaving broader questions about agency power and press freedom unresolved.