The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a settlement with several major advertising agencies, including Dentsu US Inc., GroupM Worldwide LLC, and Publicis Inc., to not enter into or enforce agreements that restrict other agencies' ability to do business with media publishers based on their news or political social commentary content. The settlement was reached between the FTC and a coalition of state attorneys general, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who described the agencies' actions as "anticompetitive conduct" that violated First Amendment rights. The defendants have also pledged not to limit advertising spend based on publisher's political viewpoints, ideological leanings, or commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. To ensure compliance, the defendants will be subject to a court-ordered monitor for regular oversight.