The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a statement of interest backing Children’s Health Defense (CHD) in its antitrust suit against major media outlets, including The Washington Post, BBC, AP, and Reuters. The DOJ argues that these organizations, through the Trusted News Initiative, may have colluded to suppress competing viewpoints on COVID‑19.
CHD—founded by RFK Jr.—claims the coalition pressured tech platforms to demonetize and downrank its content, leading to significant revenue loss. The DOJ maintains that antitrust laws protect viewpoint competition and warns that media coalitions could violate the Sherman Act if they work to exclude rivals.
Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater stated that when organizations “abuse their market power to block out and deplatform independent voices,” they harm competition and threaten the free flow of information. The DOJ urges the court not to exempt editorial collaborations from antitrust scrutiny.
Legal experts note this challenge is part of a broader trend questioning collaborations between legacy media and tech platforms. Supporters believe the DOJ’s involvement adds critical legal heft; opponents warn it risks undermining fact-checking efforts and press freedom .
CHD originally filed the lawsuit in 2023, but the case gained renewed momentum when the DOJ intervened on July 11, 2025. The statement of interest affirms that coordinated media actions could be viewed as a “group boycott” under antitrust law.
This marks a shift in federal policy. Under President Trump’s DOJ leadership, the Antitrust Division has signaled it will scrutinize media-tech collaborations even when motivated by efforts to stop misinformation .
The outcome could reshape how media outlets partner with platforms on content moderation. If courts side with CHD, editorial teams may face legal risks when jointly flagging content as “misinformation.” This case promises to test the balance between preserving press integrity and upholding constitutionally protected marketplace competition.
