Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced opening an investigation into Media Matters for "potential fraudulent activity."
The move comes after a defamation lawsuit filed against the left-leaning media watchdog group by X CEO Elon Musk, who accused Media Matters of manipulating data on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, as per Fox News.
Media Matters Sparks Ad Exodu, Texas AG Probe
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 01: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks outside the U.S. Supreme Court on November 01, 2021 in Washington, DC. On Monday, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a challenge to the controversial Texas abortion law which bans abortions after 6 weeks.
When Media Matters published a report accusing X of placing ads next to "white nationalist hashtags." This report prompted a slew of advertisers, including IBM, Apple, Disney, Lionsgate, and Paramount, to withdraw their advertisements from the platform. In response, Musk vowed to unleash a "thermonuclear lawsuit" against Media Matters, alleging that the group had misrepresented the user experience to mislead advertisers.
Republican Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey also expressed interest in the matter, stating that his legal team was "looking into" the allegations. Attorney General of Texas Ken Paxton has initiated an official investigation into Media Matters, signifying a transition towards greater formality.
"We are examining the issue closely to ensure that the public has not been deceived by the schemes of radical left-wing organizations who would like nothing more than to limit freedom by reducing participation in the public square," Paxton declared.
The investigation will be carried out under the Texas Business Organizations Code and the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Paxton's decision to pursue this course of action aligns with his concerns regarding the allegations against Media Matters, which he characterized as a "radical anti-free speech organization."
Elon Musk, the owner of X.com (formerly known as Twitter), wasted no time in championing the investigation. In a post on the platform, Musk emphasized the potential legal consequences of fraudulent activity, stating, "Fraud has both civil and criminal penalties," according to Washington Examiner.
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Media Matters in Tech Controversy
Media Matters for America, founded in 2004. The organization in question is a progressive research and information center that has a dedicated focus on thoroughly monitoring, analyzing, and addressing conservative misinformation within the United States media landscape. However, the organization has found itself at the center of controversy for its recent report on X.
The current dispute highlights the ongoing tension between media organizations and tech platforms. Media Matters' report alleging the placement of ads next to far-right content on X triggered the withdrawal of major brands' advertisements from the platform, further fueling the contentious legal battle.
In this controversy, it is important to note that right-wing criticisms of the media are not a recent development. The investigation launched by Attorney General Ken Paxton underscores the political and legal challenges facing organizations involved in media monitoring and the ongoing debate over free speech.
Paxton's decision to investigate Media Matters for "potential fraudulent activity" will undoubtedly be closely watched by both supporters and critics of the organization. As this legal battle unfolds, how it will impact the broader discourse surrounding media, social platforms, and the protection of free speech in the digital age remains to be seen, Dallas Voice reported.
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