- The judge granted an injunction against the AGs
- Elon Musk's X sued Media Matters
- They allegedly manufactured side-by-side images
A federal judge has dealt a significant blow to the attempts of Missouri and Texas attorneys general to intimidate the non-profit journalism watchdog Media Matters.
The judge granted an injunction against the AGs, halting their investigations into the organization and declaring their actions a violation of the First Amendment.
The legal dispute began last year when Elon Musk’s X sued Media Matters for allegedly manufacturing side-by-side images that portrayed the platform in a negative light.
The AGs of Missouri and Texas subsequently launched their own investigations into Media Matters, accusing it of fraud.
In his ruling, the judge found that the AGs’ actions were retaliatory and aimed to chill Media Matters’ protected speech.
He criticized their use of law enforcement machinery for political ends, calling it “the most heinous act in which a democratic government can engage.”
The victory for Media Matters has significant implications for the ongoing lawsuit between X and the organization.
The judge’s ruling solidifies the legal status of Media Matters’ reporting as protected speech, strengthening its defense against X’s claims.
