September 3, 2025

Newsmax sues Fox News for antitrust violations in conservative media war

Conservative media giants battle over who controls the right-wing narrative

Newsmax filed federal antitrust charges September 3, 2025, against Fox News alleging conservative media powerhouse illegally suppressed smaller rival through distribution monopoly, testing whether competition law applies to politically-aligned networks serving partisan audiences.

"Newsmax filed federal antitrust lawsuit against Fox News on September 3, 2025, alleging illegal market suppression under Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act, Florida Antitrust Act, and Florida Deceptive & Unfair Trade Practices Act."

"Fox News controls dominant share of conservative cable news market through exclusive distribution deals with major cable providers, giving it unprecedented power to shape right-wing political narratives and control competitor access."

"Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy claims Fox uses market power to prevent cable companies from carrying competing conservative networks through financial penalties and exclusive content agreements blocking rivals."

"Federal antitrust case could force Fox to end anti-competitive practices and allow competitor access to cable systems currently under exclusive contracts, breaking conservative media distribution monopoly."

"Fox Corporation maintains market value of nearly $26 billion compared to Newsmax $1.8 billion, demonstrating massive resource disparity that enables market manipulation through financial leverage over distributors."

"Pew Research confirms no other source matches Fox News appeal for Republicans, showing unique market position that translates into political influence over conservative voter information access."

"Conservative media market concentration gives Fox unprecedented ability to exclude ideological competitors, proving that corporate consolidation harms viewer choice even within partisan media ecosystems."

"Federal antitrust enforcement rarely targets media companies for ideological competition restrictions, making Newsmax case precedent-setting for how competition law applies to partisan information markets."

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People, bills, and sources

"Chris Ruddy"

"Newsmax CEO and Chairman"

What You Can Do

1

"Contact Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov supporting antitrust enforcement against media market concentration that reduces competition and viewer choice"

2

"File complaints with cable providers demanding access to diverse conservative news sources beyond Fox monopoly distribution agreements"

3

"Support legislative efforts preventing media consolidation that reduces competition through organizations like Free Press at freepress.net"

4

"Monitor case developments through federal court PACER database tracking antitrust precedent implications for media industry competition"

5

"Join media diversity advocacy groups like Media Alliance at media-alliance.org fighting corporate control over news access and distribution"

6

"Pressure congressional antitrust subcommittees at 202-225-3951 to investigate media market concentration effects on democratic discourse and information access"

7

"Contact cable companies directly demanding explanation for exclusive conservative content deals that limit subscriber viewing options"

8

"Support independent conservative media outlets financially to create market alternatives that reduce dependence on dominant corporate networks"