Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr has issued a strong call to action for major technology platforms, urging them to dismantle what he describes as a “censorship cartel” that he believes undermines American democracy. Carr asserts that tech giants like Facebook, Google, Apple, and Microsoft are collaborating with groups such as NewsGuard—a “Orwellian-named” organization, according to him—as well as various fact-checking organizations and advertising agencies, to enforce “one-sided narratives.” In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Carr emphasizes the necessity of this dismantling for the preservation of free speech, criticizing the pervasive influence of these entities on public discourse.
In his correspondence directed at the CEOs of leading tech companies, Carr articulates concerns that their platforms have intentionally contributed to the systematic defunding, demonetizing, and targeting of news organizations that present differing viewpoints from mainstream media narratives. These acts, according to Carr, signify their participation in the censorship cartel alongside advertising entities and the Biden-Harris administration. This notion of a coordinated effort to suppress dissenting voices raises alarms about the implications such practices have for the health of democratic processes in the United States.
Carr’s critique extends to advertising organizations, particularly GARM, which he claims organized a marketing blackout against X/Twitter due to its advocacy for free speech. Notably, this initiative ceased following a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk against GARM. Carr argues that this “censorship cartel” not only poses threats to the constitutional rights of Americans but also jeopardizes democratic values by limiting freedom of expression. He insists that the people of America should reclaim their rights to free speech to ensure the integrity of democracy itself.
Seeking accountability from tech platforms, Carr is attempting to gather information to support his efforts to promote free speech. He underscores the relevance of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which grants legal immunity to large tech platforms, provided that they act in “good faith.” Carr raises questions about whether assistance from organizations like Newsguard aligns with this good faith standard, given allegations of biased ratings, particularly favoring Chinese propaganda over American outlets. He has also highlighted Newsguard’s history of penalizing certain narratives, such as the COVID-19 lab leak theory, which raises concerns about the neutrality of their fact-checking efforts.
The credibility of NewsGuard is further called into question by Carr due to the presence of a board member who was involved in a controversial letter signed by intelligence officials that incorrectly characterized the Hunter Biden laptop story as a Russian disinformation campaign. This letter is reportedly connected to a larger wave of censorship, leading Carr to emphasize that such oversight is indicative of a flawed approach to identifying credible sources. The implications of these actions stress the importance of unbiased information in fostering informed public debate essential for a functioning democracy.
To better inform FCC actions, Carr has demanded answers from the tech CEOs to a series of questions pertaining to their collaborations with NewsGuard and any related products or services. He seeks transparency regarding their use of advertising services that utilize NewsGuard and queries about partnerships with third-party marketing agencies. The deadline for these responses is set for December 10, reflecting Carr’s urgency in addressing what he views as an essential matter for the future of free expression and democratic integrity in America. The concerns raised by Carr shed light on the broader discussion regarding the influence of technology and media oversight in shaping public perception and discourse.