FTC Investigates Media Matters, Citing Boycott Concerns

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating Media Matters for America, a liberal watchdog group, for alleged illegal coordination with other organizations to orchestrate advertiser boycotts against Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter). The FTC's civil investigative demand seeks documents on Media Matters' communications with groups like the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, following lawsuits by X that accuse these entities of harming its business. Media Matters is countersuing, alleging that Musk's litigation tactics are improper, and has recently faced layoffs attributed to mounting legal expenses. The group also claims the FTC probe is a politically motivated attack by the Trump administration. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, a Trump appointee, has emphasized scrutiny of potential unlawful collusion in advertiser boycotts. The investigation does not imply wrongdoing but highlights increasing federal attention on advocacy groups' influence in digital advertising.