The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a settlement allowing Omnicom Group and Interpublic Group of Companies to merge, following an investigation into an advertiser boycott. The FTC imposed restrictions preventing these companies from steering ad dollars based on political viewpoints. However, Media Matters for America, accused of instigating a boycott, has filed a lawsuit against the FTC, arguing that its investigation infringes on Free Speech rights. Legal experts disagree on whether these orders limit their First Amendment protections, intensifying the legal conflict between the nonprofit and the FTC's directives.
"The settlement does not limit either advertisers' or marketing companies' constitutionally protected right to free speech," added the chairman.
"Prohibiting the carrying out or enactment of editorial discretion absolutely limits First Amendment activity," Cohn argues.
Collection
[
|
...
]