The U.S. Department of Justice filed a statement of interest Friday in a federal case accusing major media outlets of suppressing independent viewpoints related to the COVID-19 pandemic through alleged collusion with tech platforms.
The case, Children’s Health Defense et al. v. Washington Post et al., is being heard in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Plaintiffs claim that the Washington Post, BBC, Associated Press, and Reuters conspired to marginalize independent media and limit competition by working in coordination with digital platforms to deplatform alternative COVID-related news and opinions.
In its filing, the Justice Department emphasized that antitrust laws apply to efforts that may limit viewpoint diversity in the news market.
“When companies abuse their market power to block out and deplatform independent voices and protect legacy media, they harm competition and threaten the free flow of information on which consumers depend,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Antitrust Division.
The DOJ’s Antitrust Division regularly intervenes in cases to promote competitive markets, including through statements of interest and amicus briefs in federal courts.
The DOJ said its move is aimed at reinforcing legal protections for viewpoint competition in media markets.