The federal agency requires that advertising not be restricted on the basis of political ideology.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said it will approve Omnicom Group’s $13.5 billion purchase of The Interpublic Group if the two ad agencies agree that they will not censor publishers based on political views.
The FTC proposed a consent order that would impose restrictions “that prevent Omnicom from engaging in collusion or coordination to direct advertising away from media publishers based on the publishers’ political or ideological viewpoints.”
“Omnicom and IPG have committed themselves to help stop that sort of coordination in their industry,” Chairman Andrew Ferguson said. “This consent agreement will help mitigate the dangers inherent in a consolidated national advertising market.”
“I hope the conditions imposed on this merger will encourage all advertising firms to adopt similar practices and thereby reduce the temptation to collude to the detriment of their customers, independent journalists, small and independent media companies, consumers, and the American public square,” the FTC chair concluded.
There are only three FTC commissioners at present after President Donald Trump fired two minority party commissioners from the board earlier this year. This ruling was passed in a vote of 2-1, with Commissioner Mark Meador recusing himself from the vote.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Chairman Ferguson to be led by the Lord as he presides over the Federal Trade Commission.
- For FTC commissioners as they consider action on consumer protection issues.
- For discernment for President Trump as he reviews potential appointees to the FTC and other federal agencies.
Sources: Axios, Daily Wire
