FTC Investigates Media Matters Over Alleged Coordination in X Advertiser Boycotts

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an investigation into Media Matters for America, a liberal advocacy group, over potential coordination with other organizations accused by Elon Musk of orchestrating advertiser boycotts of X (formerly Twitter). According to a document reviewed by Reuters, the FTC has issued a civil investigative demand seeking documents related to Media Matters’ communications with groups that assess misinformation and hate speech in news and social media, including the now-defunct Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) affiliated with the World Federation of Advertisers. 

This probe marks an escalation in U.S. government scrutiny of whether groups like Media Matters helped advertisers coordinate to pull ad dollars from X following Musk’s 2022 acquisition of the platform. The demand seeks all documents Media Matters has produced or received in the X lawsuit related to advertiser boycotts. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson has previously emphasized the need to confront advertiser boycotts that threaten competition among online platforms. 

Media Matters and the World Federation of Advertisers did not immediately …  requests for comment. An investigative demand is not proof … . 

This development adds to the ongoing legal battles between X and Media Matters, with both parties accusing each other of defamation and interference with business relationships. The outcome of these investigations and lawsuits could have significant implications for the regulation of online platforms and the role of advocacy groups in influencing advertising practices.