{"id":4631,"date":"2025-05-23T07:37:08","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T07:37:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/news\/?p=4631"},"modified":"2025-05-23T07:37:46","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T07:37:46","slug":"ftc-probes-media-matters-over-alleged-collusion-in-x-advertiser-boycott","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/news\/ftc-probes-media-matters-over-alleged-collusion-in-x-advertiser-boycott\/","title":{"rendered":"FTC Probes Media Matters Over Alleged Collusion in X Advertiser Boycott"},"content":{"rendered":"

FTC Probes Media Matters Over Alleged Collusion in X Advertiser Boycott<\/b><\/h1>\n

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a civil investigative demand to Media Matters, requesting documents that could shed light on whether the organization collaborated with other media watchdogs to prompt companies to withdraw advertising from X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The inquiry specifically seeks communication records between Media Matters and entities that assess disinformation and hate speech, including the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, a project under the World Federation of Advertisers.<\/span><\/p>\n

This investigation signals heightened federal attention toward claims that advocacy groups may have played a role in encouraging advertisers to abandon X following Elon Musk\u2019s acquisition of the platform in 2022.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both <\/span>Media Matters<\/span><\/a> and the Global Alliance for Responsible Media are currently facing lawsuits from X over these allegations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Related news: <\/b>Coinbase Warns of $400M Cyberattack Loss, Fires Staff Involved in Breach<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Concerns Over Competitive Fairness and Political Influence<\/b><\/h2>\n

The FTC\u2019s demand compels Media Matters, a progressive organization based in Washington, D.C., to provide all relevant materials produced or received in the course of legal proceedings related to X and advertiser boycotts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Commission has not accused the organization of any wrongdoing, but FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson previously emphasized the importance of ensuring fair competition in the digital marketplace.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe must prosecute any unlawful collusion between online platforms, and confront advertiser boycotts which threaten competition among those platforms,\u201d Ferguson said in an earlier statement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Angelo Carusone, president of Media Matters, responded critically to the inquiry, saying, \u201cThe Trump administration has been defined by naming right-wing media figures to key posts and abusing the power of the federal government to bully political opponents and silence critics.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He further asserted, \u201cIt\u2019s clear that\u2019s exactly what\u2019s happening here, given Media Matters\u2019 history of holding those same figures to account. These threats won\u2019t work; we remain steadfast to our mission.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, led by Republican Jim Jordan, previously accused the<\/span> Global Alliance for Responsible Media <\/span><\/a>of orchestrating an unlawful group boycott, prompting the initiative\u2019s shutdown in August.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though the FTC has refrained from commenting publicly, and the World Federation of Advertisers has not yet responded, the investigation continues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Notably, ad spending on X is projected to rise in 2025 for the first time since Musk\u2019s takeover, although still trailing pre-acquisition levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to its ongoing legal battle with Media Matters, X filed suit last year against the World Federation of Advertisers and several brands, alleging they conspired to limit advertising on the platform.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The defendants have sought to dismiss the case, arguing their decisions were motivated by brand safety concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read next:<\/b> Harvard Expands Lawsuit After Trump Administration Cuts Additional $450M in Federal Grants<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

FTC Probes Media Matters Over Alleged Collusion in X Advertiser Boycott The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a civil investigative demand to Media Matters, requesting documents that could shed light on whether the organization collaborated with other media watchdogs to prompt companies to withdraw advertising from X, the social platform formerly known as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":4633,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[330],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4631","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nFTC Probes Media Matters Over Alleged Collusion in X Advertiser Boycott<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"FTC investigates Media Matters over alleged collusion in advertiser boycott against X. 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