House Judiciary Committee chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) is fighting against what he claims is a corporate cabal colluding to censor conservative platforms and voices, including Breitbart News. Jordan and the Judiciary Committee have sent letters to five member companies of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media's (GARM) Steer Team, requesting documents and communications related to conservative censorship. The committee has obtained evidence suggesting that GARM members are working together to demonetize conservative platforms and voices, such as Breitbart News, Fox News, and The Daily Wire. Jordan argues that these actions may be illegal under the Sherman Act and has set a deadline of April 10, 2024, for a response from the companies. If the companies refuse to comply, subpoenas and congressional hearings may be pursued [5cf7bc18].
This latest development adds to the ongoing concerns about censorship and the control of information. Jordan's efforts to combat alleged censorship highlight the importance of protecting freedom of speech and ensuring a diverse range of perspectives in the media landscape. The House Judiciary Committee's investigation into GARM and its member companies aims to shed light on the extent of conservative censorship and determine whether it violates antitrust laws [5cf7bc18] [561a7d61].
The Biden administration has also faced accusations of pressuring Amazon to censor books critical of Covid-19 vaccines. Chairman Jim Jordan exposed the alleged collaboration during a press conference, citing internal emails obtained through a Judiciary Committee subpoena. The emails indicate that the Biden White House exerted pressure on Amazon to censor books expressing views that it did not approve of. This controversy raises concerns about the delicate balance between freedom of expression and government influence on private entities, as well as the responsibility of major platforms in maintaining a diverse range of perspectives [561a7d61].
The battle for information extends beyond traditional media outlets and online platforms. The Biden administration has faced criticism for its strategy to censor and push leftist activism into American classrooms. According to an article on NewsBusters, the administration is using federal funds to implement a three-phase strategy. Phase 1 involved a public awareness campaign funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), featuring blog posts and podcasts attacking former President Donald Trump and his supporters. Phase 2 finances nationwide seminars for educators, training them to use censorship tools and divert students away from conservative ideas. Phase 3 offers cash prizes to children who create social media posts advocating for 'media literacy' mandates, which is a euphemism for censorship. The strategy is being implemented through partnerships with organizations like the University of Rhode Island's Media Education Lab, Media Literacy Now, and Moms Demand Action. The goal is to create a perpetual demand for media literacy in public education and promote an anti-American ideology disguised as 'media literacy' [63430623].
Congressman Tim Burchett is now calling for an investigation into the censorship of One America News (OAN). Burchett has announced that House Oversight Hearings on OAN censorship will be held soon. The purpose of the hearings is to address the issue of censorship on One America News Network [e711ec9a].
Ben Shapiro testified before the House Judiciary Committee, exposing how liberal politicians have suppressed and censored conservative media. Shapiro highlighted the trust crisis in the media and the loss of trust in legacy media due to their biased narratives. He explained the informal pressure system created by Democratic legislators, the White House, legacy media advertisers, and brand safety organizations that guarantees advertising dollars flow only to left-wing media brands. Shapiro also discussed the role of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), which acts as a cartel and sets brand safety standards. He emphasized that GARM's standards are highly subjective and partisan, leading to the throttling of conservative media outlets. Shapiro called on Congress to investigate the arrangements between censorship cartels like GARM and executive branch agencies and to stop engaging in violations of free speech principles. He criticized members of Congress for participating in coercive campaigns against free speech and pressuring private companies to censor speech. Shapiro urged Congress to uphold the First Amendment and stop the suppression of conservative viewpoints [57d4ee44].
A new congressional report reveals that the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) has colluded to blacklist conservatives through its Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) initiative. GARM has set 'brand safety' measures that effectively prevent non-left-wing views from flourishing online. The report highlights that GARM is linked to the Global Disinformation Index (GDI), which created an ad blacklist of conservative or libertarian news outlets, including the New York Post, RealClearPolitics, and Reason magazine. Despite criticism, the blacklist was promoted to WFA members as a way to combat 'misinformation.' The GDI has received funding from the State Department's Global Engagement Center and the National Endowment for Democracy. The report also reveals that GARM members monitored disfavored outlets closely to find justification to demonetize them, rather than using an objective rubric. The report includes evidence of GARM targeting conservative figures such as Elon Musk and Joe Rogan. Elon Musk has vowed to sue GARM, and Joe Rogan was targeted due to his unorthodox thoughts on the COVID-19 vaccine. The report exposes the collusion between WFA and GARM to censor dissenting views and control online speech [e92338f0] [fb82ace5].
This latest testimony and report add to the growing concerns about the control of information and the suppression of conservative voices. Shapiro's testimony and the congressional report highlight the need to protect freedom of speech and ensure a diverse range of perspectives in the media landscape. The censorship of conservative media raises questions about the balance between freedom of expression and the influence of powerful entities on the flow of information [fb82ace5].
In a recent article published by the Washington Examiner, Investigations Editor Sarah Bedford joins Editor-in-Chief Hugo Gurdon to discuss the federal government's authority in censorship and whether it will get worse. They also discuss the Global Disinformation Index and the government's failure to capitalize on weakening its authority. The article raises concerns about the federal government's censorship authority and its potential impact on the First Amendment. It highlights the need to protect freedom of speech and maintain a balance between government authority and individual rights [9e7a2fef].