Morning Wire: Inside the FTC’s Fight Against Censorship in Advertising

Release Date: June 28, 2025
Host: John Bickley, The Daily Wire
Episode Focus: Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) actions against collusion in the advertising industry and its implications for free speech and media diversity.

1. Introduction: The Advertising Cartel Threat

Ben Shapiro sets the stage by highlighting the problematic nature of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), describing it as a cartel that controls 90% of ad spending in the U.S., making it nearly impossible for conservative publishers to secure advertising dollars without GARM's approval.

"GARM acts as a cartel. Its members account for 90% of ad spending in the United States, almost a trillion dollars."
— Ben Shapiro [00:01]

John Bickley introduces the episode, emphasizing the recent agreement between two major advertising firms and the FTC to halt anti-conservative coordination within the industry.

2. Interview with FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson

Brent Scher, Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Wire, conducts an in-depth interview with FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson, delving into the FTC's crackdown on collusion within the advertising sector.

a. Initial Concerns in the Advertising Industry

Brent Scher asks Ferguson about his initial observations upon joining the FTC.

"What did you first see going on in the advertising industry that had you concerned when it comes to competition?"
— Brent Scher [02:04]

Andrew Ferguson explains his dual perspective as an antitrust lawyer and a citizen, emphasizing the critical role of diverse ideas in a free marketplace. He expresses concern over how dissident voices, particularly conservative ones, struggle to monetize their platforms due to control by dominant advertising agencies.

"If you have dissenting views, it's hard to get those views out if you're also having to work other jobs in order to get those views out."
— Andrew Ferguson [02:25]

b. The Concentration of Ad Agencies and Antitrust Implications

Brent Scher highlights the consolidation within the ad industry, referencing the attempted merger of Omnicom and IPG, and probes Ferguson on the implications for competition.

"There are six big companies... Given you already had concerns about competitiveness in the industry, I feel like they knew that this would be an issue when they wanted to get together."
— Brent Scher [04:59]

Andrew Ferguson elaborates on the concentration of power within the top six ad agencies, noting that reducing the number from six to five poses significant antitrust concerns. He underscores the likelihood of increased scrutiny from the FTC under his leadership.

"It's a pretty concentrated industry... they probably suspected that the FTC... was going to take a pretty serious look at this."
— Andrew Ferguson [05:26]

c. Addressing Collusion and Ensuring Compliance

Brent Scher inquires about the commitments Omnicom and IPG have made to mitigate antitrust concerns.

"What exactly are they promising to mitigate these concerns?"
— Brent Scher [06:57]

Andrew Ferguson outlines the agreement's stipulations, which prohibit collusion among ad agencies or with third parties like GARM to restrict advertising based on political content. He highlights the requirement for these companies to provide regular compliance reports to the FTC and the enforcement measures in place should they fail to adhere.

"They are now subject to an order that categorically prohibits this sort of collusion either amongst themselves or with third parties."
— Andrew Ferguson [07:06]

d. Investigating Past Collusion and Future Cooperation

Brent Scher references a congressional report detailing how GARM labeled The Daily Wire as "conspiracy theorists" and alleges coordinated efforts to divert ad dollars from platforms like X (formerly Twitter).

"Can you talk a bit more about that?"
— Brent Scher [09:50]

Andrew Ferguson emphasizes that current actions are grounded in enforcing antitrust laws rather than targeting specific political ideologies. He confirms that Omnicom and IPG will fully cooperate with ongoing investigations, ensuring transparency and accountability.

"It's about our antitrust laws. And this is about whether we have free markets... It doesn't matter whether the boycott is aimed at one idea or another."
— Andrew Ferguson [12:27]

e. Impact on the Advertising Industry and Future Outlook

Brent Scher probes the implications for the remaining ad firms and the broader industry.

"What about the other four? Is there concern that they're just going to continue with business as usual?"
— Brent Scher [13:54]

Andrew Ferguson expresses hope that this enforcement action signals the FTC's serious commitment to preventing collusion, deterring other firms from similar practices due to the increased scrutiny and consequences.

"We're going to take this very seriously going forward. And everyone is now very clearly on notice that that's our view."
— Andrew Ferguson [14:24]

f. Ensuring Long-term Compliance and Neutrality

Brent Scher questions the sustainability of these measures beyond the current administration.

"Is there anything being done that lasts beyond your term at the FTC?"
— Brent Scher [15:13]

Andrew Ferguson asserts that stringent enforcement of antitrust laws creates a lasting deterrent against collusion. He emphasizes the neutrality of these actions, stating that the laws apply equally regardless of political affiliations.

"No one should be subject to illegal horizontal boycotts because of the ideas they're expressing... the law here is neutral for politics."
— Andrew Ferguson [17:05]

3. Conclusion: Strengthening Free Markets and Free Speech

The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of the FTC's commitment to uphold antitrust laws to protect free speech and ensure a diverse and competitive advertising landscape. Brent Scher acknowledges the significance of these developments in fostering a fair marketplace where ideas can flourish without undue suppression through economic means.

Key Takeaways

• Antitrust Enforcement: The FTC, under Commissioner Andrew Ferguson, is actively addressing collusion within the advertising industry to promote competition and protect free speech.

• Impact on Media Diversity: Concentrated power in ad agencies like Omnicom and IPG has previously marginalized conservative publishers by controlling advertising dollars through cartels like GARM.

• Commitment to Neutrality: The FTC's actions are grounded in law and aimed at preserving free markets, irrespective of political ideologies.

• Ongoing Investigations: Omnicom and IPG have agreed to cooperate fully with the FTC's investigations, signaling a potential shift towards more transparent and fair advertising practices.

This episode of Morning Wire provides an insightful exploration of the intersection between antitrust laws, media diversity, and free speech, shedding light on significant regulatory actions aimed at dismantling barriers faced by conservative publishers in the digital advertising landscape.