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Texas City Today
By the People, for the People
Big Advertisers Settle with FTC Over Alleged Censorship of Conservative Media
WPP, Dentsu, and Publicis accused of colluding to limit ad revenue for outlets like Breitbart News
Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:26pm
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The FTC's settlement with major advertising agencies over alleged collusion to limit ad revenue for conservative media outlets highlights the outsized influence of the ad industry on the digital news ecosystem.Texas City TodayThree of the world's largest advertising companies - WPP, Dentsu, and Publicis - have settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over claims that they colluded on policies to combat alleged misinformation, which resulted in reduced advertising revenue for conservative publishers like Breitbart News. The FTC alleged the ad agencies worked through trade associations to establish a 'Brand Safety Floor' to target content they deemed as 'misinformation', effectively censoring certain viewpoints online.
Why it matters
This case highlights concerns over potential political bias and censorship in the digital advertising industry, which plays a crucial role in funding online media. The FTC alleges the ad agencies' actions distorted the 'marketplace of ideas' by discriminating against certain political views, raising questions about the power large advertisers wield over the viability of news outlets.
The details
According to the FTC's complaint, the three ad agencies coordinated through the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) to change the definition of 'misinformation' in a way that specifically targeted how Breitbart News used facts 'selectively to mislead'. This resulted in conservative publishers identified as publishing 'misinformation' suffering dramatic declines in their digital ad revenue. The FTC also found evidence the agencies planned to continue GARM's 'Brand Safety Policy' work even after the organization was dissolved.
- In November 2021, the GARM Initiative Lead suggested including 'willfully misleading' content in the 'misinformation' category to target Breitbart News.
- Four days after GARM was dismantled in 2024, WPP said it would continue to abide by GARM standards.
- In October 2024, a trade association executive said they would not discuss GARM until after the November 2024 election.
The players
WPP
One of the world's largest advertising companies that settled with the FTC over the allegations.
Dentsu
One of the world's largest advertising companies that settled with the FTC over the allegations.
Publicis
One of the world's largest advertising companies that settled with the FTC over the allegations.
Breitbart News
A conservative news outlet that was allegedly targeted by the ad agencies' policies to limit advertising revenue for outlets deemed to be publishing 'misinformation'.
Andrew Ferguson
The FTC Chairman who said the ad agencies' 'brand-safety conspiracy turned competition in the market for ad-buying services on its head' and 'distorted the marketplace of ideas by discriminating against speech and ideas'.
What they’re saying
“The ad agencies' brand-safety conspiracy turned competition in the market for ad-buying services on its head. The antitrust laws guarantee participation in a market free from conduct, such as economic boycotts, that distort the fundamental competitive pressures that promote lower prices, higher quality products and increased innovation.”
— Andrew Ferguson, FTC Chairman
“This unlawful collusion not only damaged our marketplace, but also distorted the marketplace of ideas by discriminating against speech and ideas that fell below the unlawfully agreed-upon floor. The proposed order remedies the dangers inherent to collusive practices and restores competition to the digital news ecosystem.”
— Andrew Ferguson, FTC Chairman
“The example of how Breitbart may use facts selectively to mislead was an example given of the need to amend GARM's working definition of 'misinformation'.”
— GARM Initiative Lead
What’s next
If approved by a federal judge, the FTC order will prevent the major ad agencies from engaging in agreements that set common brand safety standards or restrict advertising based on biased and politically motivated criteria.
The takeaway
This case highlights concerns over potential political bias and censorship in the digital advertising industry, which plays a crucial role in funding online media. The alleged collusion by major ad agencies to limit advertising revenue for certain political viewpoints raises questions about the power large advertisers wield over the viability of news outlets and the 'marketplace of ideas' online.
