July 2025 Report
Inside This Edition:
- FTC Investigates Media Monitors, Ad Agencies for Colluding to Squeeze Out Conservative Media
- FTC approves Omnicom, IPG Megamerger; Silent about NewsGuard
- Big Win: Florida Says ‘NO’ to Ad Agencies Backing Biased Media Monitors
- IMC Board Member John Tillman: Advertisers Should Stop Discriminating Against Conservative Content Creators
- Model Bill Proposed to Prevent Biased Media Monitors in Schools
- NewsGuard & Censorship Media Roundup
OVERVIEW
June brought several significant victories in the fight to end taxpayer-funded censorship and hold biased media monitoring services accountable. From federal investigations to landmark state action, the tide is turning in the right direction.
At the federal level, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched a sweeping investigation into whether media monitoring groups like NewsGuard and Ad Fontes—alongside major ad agencies such as Omnicom and Publicis—colluded to blacklist conservative media. The probe marks a historic step toward transparency and accountability in the advertising-tech ecosystem.
While The IMC welcomes the investigation, it’s disappointed the FTC was silent about the use of NewsGuard in the consent decree it issued as part of its approval of a $13 billion merger between ad giants Omnicom and Interpublic Group.
Meanwhile, Florida set a new national precedent by enacting a budget provision that bars state agencies from contracting with advertising agencies and marketing firms that use politically biased media monitors. It’s a free speech win — and a model for other states to follow.
With multiple battlegrounds now active—Washington, DC, Tallahassee, and beyond—The Independent Media Council is helping lead the charge against viewpoint discrimination disguised as “fact-checking.” The pushback is real, and we’re gaining unstoppable traction.
GOVERNMENT
FEDERAL
FTC Investigates Media Monitors, Ad Agencies for Colluding to Squeeze Out Conservative Media
The FTC has launched an investigation into media monitoring companies like NewsGuard and Ad Fontes for potentially violating antitrust law. According to news reports, the FTC is looking into whether at least a dozen such entities coordinated boycotts of conservative media among advertisers.
The FTC is demanding information about the operations and methodologies, finances, internal and external communications, and complaints or allegations about the work of organizations that are being investigated, from January 1, 2019 to the present. The entities had until June 19 to provide information to the FTC.
Only days after the investigation broke, it was reported that the FTC is also investigating major ad agencies such as Omnicom and Publicis Group for boycotting conservative media and digital outlets.
FTC chairman Andrew Ferguson has pledged to crack down on censorship of conservatives on social media.
The IMC will keep you updated on the latest developments in the investigation
Stories are below and in the Media Roundup:
- New York Times,T.C. Investigates Ad Groups and Watchdogs, Alleging Boycott Collusion – The New York Times
- WSJ, Exclusive | FTC Seeks Information From Top Advertising Agencies as Part of Ad-Boycott Probe – WSJ
FTC approves Omnicom, IPG Megamerger; Silent about NewsGuard
The FTC approved a $13.5 billion merger between ad behemoths Omnicom Group and The Interpublic Group of Companies, leaving a key question unanswered: will the new entity use NewsGuard?
The FTC’s consent decree aims to prevent the merged entity from engaging in anticompetitive practices that discriminate against conservative outlets, indicating that the ad agencies had violated the law by illegally colluding to boycott targeted outlets. However,
it says nothing about their ability to use ideologically biased media monitors such as NewsGuard, GDI or Ad Fontes.
The Independent Media Council called out this discrepancy, noting that the FTC’s penalty for collusion is “only a slap on the wrist and a promotion to a titanic $13 billion merger.”
The FTC did not respond to Newsmax’s questions with regards to NewsGuard and the IPG-Omnicom merger, which is expected to become effective before the end of the year.
See the story here:
Megamerger Omnicom, IPG Mum About NewsGuard Bias
Newsmax by Paul Bond, 6/26/25
https://www.newsmax.com/us/news-bias-ftc-omnicom/2025/06/26/id/1216643/
STATE
Florida Says ‘NO’ to Ad Agencies Backing Biased Media Monitors
In a major victory for free speech and a free press, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed into law an important provision that protects taxpayers from state-funded censorship as a key part of the state’s 2025–2026 budget.
The measure prevents state agencies from entering contracts with advertising agencies and marketing firms that use politically biased media monitoring services like NewsGuard, Ad Fontes and GDI.
Lawmakers and the governor were clearly signaling with the law that state advertising buys are meant to inform the general public – and not filtered so conservative viewers won’t see them.
“This is just the beginning,” Christine Czernejewski, a spokesperson for The IMC said in a press release. “Other states should follow Florida’s lead to ensure taxpayer dollars are not used to silence content creators who don’t agree with a far-left agenda.”
The provision was championed by lawmakers committed to protecting viewpoint diversity, transparency and fairness in public-sector media monitoring service partnerships.
See Coverage of the Bill:
Newsmax Analyst Lauds DeSantis for New Anti-Censorship Law
Newsmax by Jonathan Haymeier, 7/7/25
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/newsmax-censorship-conservatives/2025/07/07/id/1217812/
DeSantis Signs Provision Prohibiting State Agencies from Contracting with Media Censors
The Federalist by Jacqueline Annis-Levings 7/1/25
https://thefederalist.com/2025/07/01/desantis-signs-provision-prohibiting-state-agencies-from-contracting-with-media-censors/
DeSantis To Sign Florida Bill Preventing Government Money From ‘Bias Monitors’
The Daily Signal by Jarrett Stepman, 6/17/25
US Rep Jimmy Patronis re: FL Bill on X:
IMC Board Member John Tillman: Advertisers Should Stop Discriminating Against Conservative Content Creators
Florida taxpayers shouldn’t have to fund companies that can choke off revenue to influencers, journalists, authors, news outlets and more, simply for holding conservative views, writes IMC Board Member John Tillman in an op-ed for Florida Politics. The op-ed was published in support of the provision in the Florida budget bill that Gov. DeSantis has now signed into law.
Tillman’s Topline Points:
- Florida should protect content creators by ensuring fair access to ad revenue through reformed advertising structures.
- Ad exchanges are key for monetization but often rely on biased third-party ratings like NewsGuard to determine where ads go.
- Conservative voices are disproportionately downgraded, with studies showing significant scoring bias against right-leaning outlets.
- This bias diverts advertising revenue away from creators with alternative or conservative viewpoints.
- Florida has over 566,000 influencers, many of whom depend on fair access to digital advertising to sustain and grow.
- Florida lawmakers should pass legislation preventing state agencies from using ad tech that relies on politically biased media ratings.
- The proposed changes would protect free speech, support small businesses, and uphold Florida’s pro-business and anti-censorship stance.
While the op-ed is specific to Florida, the argument is applicable to all states. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to enable left leaning content creators while choking off revenue to conservative content creators. The IMC is supporting legislation in states that would ensure a level playing field for all.
See the op-ed: John Tillman: Florida Needs Fair Ad Structure for Content Creators
Tillman on X:
IMC Board Member Rob Bluey on X:
Model Bill Proposed to Prevent Biased Media Monitors in Schools
The Foundation for Freedom Online has prepared model legislation for adoption by the American Legislative Exchange Council that would ensure K-12 schools and public libraries are not subject to partisan teaching materials, digital tools or curricula. Called the “Against Blacklisting in Education or A.B.E Act,” the legislation seeks to prevent schools and libraries from working with entities that unnecessarily restrict political viewpoints or information sources.
The IMC plans to issue a letter of support and will keep you updated.
MEDIA
Megamerger Omnicom, IPG Mum About NewsGuard Bias
Newsmax by Paul Bond, 6/26/25
https://www.newsmax.com/us/news-bias-ftc-omnicom/2025/06/26/id/1216643/
The Daily Signal’s Rob Bluey Names NewsGuard his Loser of the Week pick
Sean Spicer show, 6/18/25
X Sues New York For Demanding Social Media Data to Censor Speech
The Federalist by Jacqueline Annis-Levings, 6/18/25
https://thefederalist.com/2025/06/18/x-sues-new-york-for-demanding-social-media-data-to-censor-speech/
DeSantis To Sign Florida Bill Preventing Government Money From ‘Bias Monitors’
The Daily Signal by Jarrett Stepman, 6/17/25
NYT ‘Disinformation’ Experts Blame Online Conservatives, Not Rioters, For LA Riots
The Federalist by 6/10/25
https://thefederalist.com/2025/06/10/nyt-disinformation-experts-blame-online-conservatives-not-rioters-for-la-riots/
X’s Sales Pitch: Give Us Your Ad Business or We’ll Sue
WSJ by Suzanne Vrancia, Dana Mattioli and Jessica Toonkel, 6/10/25
Exclusive: FTC Seeks Information From Top Advertising Agencies as Part of Ad-Boycott Probe
WSJ by Suzanne Vranica and Dana Mattioli, 6/9/25
News rating agencies under federal scrutiny for colluding to shut down conservative outlets
Washington Times by Susan Ferrechio, 6/6/25
Florida Needs Fair Ad Structure for Content Creators
Florida Politics by John Tillman, 6/4/25
John Tillman: Florida needs fair ad structure for content creators
FTC Investigates Ad Groups and Watchdogs, Alleging Boycott Collusion
The New York Times by Kate Conger and Tiffany Hsu 6/3/25
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/02/technology/ftc-investigation-advertising-boycotts.html?camp=7JFJX
FTC Issues Sweeping Demands to Media Rating Firms Over Industry Ties
Ad Week by Kendra Barnett, 6/3/25
https://www.adweek.com/media/ftc-issues-sweeping-demands-to-media-rating-firms-over-industry-ties/
Christine Czernejewski
Membership Director
The Independent Media Council
M: 202-368-0281
