Petition: Media Must Expose Noem’s Ad Scandal

Kristi Noem is facing serious questions after a government-linked advertising campaign appeared to promote a private company tied to her political orbit. When a public official uses the visibility and resources of their office to elevate a private business, it raises obvious concerns about conflicts of interest and the misuse of public power for personal or political gain. This is not routine political messaging—it is a potential corruption story.

Yet too much coverage treats incidents like this as political noise or personality drama rather than examining the ethical and financial implications. When media outlets fail to follow the money, scrutinize the relationships involved, and ask who benefits, they allow blatant conflicts of interest to fade into the background instead of receiving the accountability they deserve.

We call on major news organizations to cover this scandal with the seriousness it demands—investigating the financial ties behind the campaign, questioning how public platforms were used to promote private interests, and explaining the ethical stakes to the public. Democracy depends on journalism that exposes corruption clearly and relentlessly, no matter who is involved.