It apparently is little noted, but the "Campaign Reform Act" which limits(?) campaign donations, including sponsoring of media, contains a provision that no one may contradict anything that "the media says" during the final days before an election.

It is little noted because it is not true. Anyone may say whatever they want.   They simply can't use the airwaves, which are public property held in trust, to do it. As you point out, both sides supported this provision, and only lobbyists opposed it. Boo-hoo!