But perhaps most invasive, Paxton wanted to see all the communications about Media Matters' X reporting that triggered the lawsuits, which, as US District Judge Amit Mehta wrote in an opinion published Friday, was a compelled disclosure that "poses a serious threat to the vitality of the newsgathering process."
"Notably," Mehta wrote, Paxton remained "silent" and never "submitted a sworn declaration that explains his reasons for opening the investigation."
Ultimately, Mehta granted MMFA's request for a preliminary injunction to block Paxton's CID because the judge found that the investigation and the CID have caused MMFA "to self-censor when making research and publication decisions, adversely affected the relationships between editors and reporters, and restricted communications with sources and journalists."
"Only injunctive relief will 'prevent the [ongoing] deprivation of free speech rights,'" Mehta's opinion said, deeming MMFA's reporting as "core First Amendment activities."
"Elon Musk encouraged Republican state attorneys general to use their power to harass their critics and stifle reporting about X," Carusone said.
Media Matters' lawyer, Aria C. Branch, a partner at Elias Law Group, told Ars that “while Attorney General Paxton’s office has not yet responded to Friday’s ruling, the preliminary injunction should certainly put an end to these kind of lawless, politically motivated attempts to muzzle the press.”
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