Monday, June 02, 2025

Appeals Court Bars Texas AG from Investigating Media Matters

A U.S. appeals court on Friday ruled unanimously in favor of Media Matters for America, a progressive media watchdog organization, blocking a Texas attorney general's attempt to investigate the firm for its reporting about brand safety concerns on X.

Posted by lamplighter at 08:32 PM | 15 COMMENTS | permalink

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US appeals court rules for watchdog Media Matters in fight over Texas subpoena reut.rs/3FyuCq8

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-- Reuters (@reuters.com) May 30, 2025 at 5:35 PM

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More from the article...

... Texas AG Ken Paxton opened an investigation into Media Matters in late November of 2023, after the organization published a report showing ads from major brands appearing next to antisemitic and white supremacist content on the social platform formerly known as Twitter.

Media Matters' report sparked a wave of advertiser pullback, which angered X owner Elon Musk. Musk then sued Media Matters, alleging the group knowingly manipulated data to push a damaging narrative about brand safety on the platform.

On the same day that Musk filed suit, Texas' Paxton kicked off a probe into Media Matters, alleging it "fraudulently manipulated data on X.com."

A district court granted Media Matters a preliminary injunction, which blocked Paxton's attempt to enforce a pre-litigation subpoena.

Now, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit affirmed an earlier decision from a district court to block Paxton's subpoena attempt, calling the effort an "arguably bad-faith investigation." ...


#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-01 03:39 PM

Winning?

#2 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-06-02 09:24 PM

@#2 ... Winning? ...

No, imo, a showing of weakness.

But will the Trump admin appeal?


#3 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-02 09:35 PM

It would be up to the odious criminal Paxton to appeal. It is such an obvious first ammendment issue, MM using their 1A rights to point out the way major advertisers' ads were appearing next to racist and antisemitic content on Twitter, that's on Sissy SpaceX, not MM. Paxton is trying to use government power to restrict MM's 1A rights. Even the bought and paid for SCOTUS should see how ludicrous and unconstitutional Paxton's investigation is. Oh, wasn't DOJ or the KashBI going to investigate the legality of NOT advertising with Twitter? I seem to recall a promised investigation, but I guess now that Elmo has added Katie Miller to his harem he'll be getting fewer favors from the Miller WH.

#4 | Posted by _Gunslinger_ at 2025-06-02 10:06 PM

@#4 ... Paxton is trying to use government power to restrict MM's 1A rights. ...

Succinct, and appropriate.

And, imo, correct.

But I am not the Supreme Court.


#5 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-02 11:09 PM

Seems apropos here. The Situation: They Just Can't Help Themselves

Why does the administration keep picking First Amendment fights it can't possibly win?

#6 | Posted by et_al at 2025-06-02 11:58 PM

That said, Paxton wins a lot. Because of the TxSC and the 5th Circuit.

#7 | Posted by et_al at 2025-06-03 12:06 AM

@#7 ... Paxton wins a lot. ...

But, will he win here in this case?

I wish I knew.


#8 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-03 12:29 AM

Remember back in the 80"s when AT&T was being broken up by the federal government?

I do, My $50 a month landline phone bill is now $12 a month. (yeah,I still have a land line, but that aside...)

Reminds me of this tune that just popped up on a playlist here.

(OK, maybe the popping up of the tune reminded me of the prior cost of landlines ... whatever ....)

American Comedy Network - Breaking Up Is Hard On You (1984)
www.youtube.com

Lyrics excerpt ...

(wow, have to really search for this one ...)

Breaking Up Is Hard On You, song lyrics
www.protestsonglyrics.net

...
Do do do,
Down dooby doo down down,
The deal is going down,
Dooby doo down down,
The rates are going up,
Uppy, up, up, up, up, up, up,
Breaking up is hard on you.

Don't take Ma Bell(2) away from me,
I've gotten used to monopoly,
When they divest, then I'll be blue,
Yes, breaking up is hard on you.
This song was originally posted on protestsonglyrics.net
Remember when you make a call,
When you get through, no sweat at all,
Now we wait the whole night through,
'Cause breaking up is hard on you.

They say that breaking up is hard to do,
And so they put the screws to you,
Don't say it's fate my friend,
Including breaking up, they're jacking up the rates again.
...




So, the Federal regulation and breaking up of the landline phone companies was A Good Thing?

Yes?


#9 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-03 12:40 AM

"Why does the administration keep picking First Amendment fights it can't possibly win?"

For the chilling effect.

And, they only need to win once to establish precedent.

#10 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-06-03 02:21 AM

A residential landline was $50/mo in the 80s before the breakup?

#11 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-06-03 02:22 AM

"Why does the administration keep picking First Amendment fights it can't possibly win?"

Trumpy does not care about or even understand the constitution. That's not his job (according to him). The Mad King's job is to do whatever pleases the Mad King and whatever the Mad King feels like doing today.

And then it's up to you to take him to court to prove him wrong. If you can afford the lawyers. And it's does not matter if he wins.

Like SNOOFY says. To instill fear in others to shut them up. No one speaks ill of the Mad King and gets away with it!!

Because that's how his favorite dictators do it. The reward is worth the risk. Apparently.

#12 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-06-03 01:11 PM

Why the ---- isn't Paxton in prison again?

#13 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-06-03 02:40 PM

That said, Paxton wins a lot. Because of the TxSC and the 5th Circuit.

#7 | Posted by et_al

Well, he's not on his home court now.
This decision, if it goes to SCOTUS, seems so obvious that only Alito and Thomas would go for it.
.

#14 | Posted by morris at 2025-06-03 02:41 PM

Why the ---- isn't Paxton in prison again?

#13 | POSTED BY LEGALLYYOURDEAD

Good question. He has a lot of money and he cut a deal.

We don't talk about that anymore. It just painfully reminds us of our two-tier justice system. One for the rich and powerful and one for the rest of us. It's better if we just don't talk about it.

"Ken Paxton avoided prison for securities fraud charges by reaching a pre-trial agreement with prosecutors, according to The Washington Post and ProPublica. Under the agreement, he agreed to perform community service, take legal ethics courses, and pay restitution to those he was accused of defrauding. This pre-trial deal prevented him from facing a trial and potential imprisonment."

#15 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-06-03 02:58 PM

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