Judge says that FTC study of Media’s Questions ‘Should Alarm All Americans’

A federal judge has awarded a preliminary injunction that blocks the Federal Trade Commission’s investigation into the Left-winged advocate media.

Back in 2023, Media Matter’s research showing ads from larger companies performed together with anti-Semitic and other offensive content on Elon Musk-owned X. When larger advertisers then withdrew from the platform, the defendant X Media’s issues. It also sued advertisers and advertising groups of what it claimed was a “systematically illegal boycott.”

After Musk’s then -Donald Trump joined again in January, the FTC also began an investigation into whether the media had illegally gathered with advertisers.

On Friday, however, Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan sought media question and blocked FTC’s investigation. In his decision, Sooknanan (a District Judge for the District of Columbia wrote, who was appointed by Joe Biden) that the media Matters article represented “prominent activity activity” and FTC’s “expansive” Investigation Requirements seemed to be “a retaliation act.”

“It had to alarm all Americans when the government reciprocates against individuals or organizations for participating in constitutionally protected public debate,” she wrote. “And this alarm had to call even higher when the government retaliates against those dealing with news collection and reporting.”

Sooknanan noted that Andrew Ferguson, before his appointment as the current FTC chairman, had appeared at Steve Bannon’s podcast and called for the FTC to investigate progressive groups criticizing online disinformation and that he subsequently “brought several senior employees to the FTC, who previously made public comments on media questions.”

The FTC did not immediately respond to a TechCrunch email who asked if it intends to appeal.

Regardless of the legal result, XS litigation has already had a significant influence on the targeted organizations where media issues cut staff (one of the dismissed researchers is now driving to Congress), while the World Federation of Advertors are closing its fire safety program and reportedly complaining of drained finances.

Sooknanan said that the FTC investigation has also had its “intended effect”, which caused media questions to decide “against pursuing certain stories of FTC, President Ferguson and Mr. Musk.”