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Judge Blocks FTC Demand for Media Matters Documents in Antitrust Probe

By  |  August 17, 2025

A federal judge has sided with Media Matters for America, halting the Federal Trade Commission’s attempt to compel the nonprofit to turn over internal documents as part of an antitrust inquiry. The decision marks a significant win for the progressive watchdog group, which argued that the government’s actions were an unconstitutional attempt to punish its reporting.

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    According to Bloomberg, US District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan granted a preliminary injunction on Friday, ruling that the FTC’s civil investigative demand against the group was retaliatory and violated the First Amendment. In a 48-page opinion, Sooknanan concluded that the watchdog organization was likely to succeed in showing the agency’s probe was driven by political motives rather than legitimate antitrust concerns.

    The dispute stems from a November 2023 report by Media Matters that detailed how ads from major companies were appearing alongside antisemitic content on X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk. The article prompted several advertisers to pull their campaigns from the site. Per Bloomberg, the FTC later launched a broad inquiry in May, issuing document demands to 17 organizations, including Media Matters, as part of what it described as a review of potentially unlawful advertising boycotts.

    Read more: NFL-Disney Deal Expected to Face DOJ Scrutiny Over Antitrust Concerns

    In her ruling, Judge Sooknanan emphasized that Media Matters was engaged in “quintessential First Amendment activity” when it published the critical article about Musk and X. She said the FTC’s sweeping request for information amounted to a retaliatory act.

    Media Matters President Angelo Carusone said in a statement that the case highlights the stakes for press freedom and nonprofit advocacy groups. “This case is not just about the campaign to punish and silence Media Matters,” Carusone said. “It is a critical test for whether the courts will allow any administration — from any political party — to bully media and non-profit organizations through illegal abuses of power.”

    According to Bloomberg, the nonprofit has faced scrutiny beyond the FTC. A coalition of Republican state attorneys general had also sought information from the group following the 2023 article. However, a federal appeals court previously found that those demands were similarly retaliatory in nature.

    Judge Sooknanan’s decision ensures that, at least for now, Media Matters will not have to comply with the FTC’s expansive information request as the legal battle continues.

    Source: Bloomberg