FCC Commissioner Carr Targets Big Tech Over ‘Censorship Cartel’

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has launched a bold challenge against four Big Tech giants Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple accusing them of participating in a “censorship cartel” that undermines free speech in America. Carr’s accusations come amidst growing scrutiny of these companies’ roles in stifling dissenting voices, often targeting conservative viewpoints.

Carr issued formal letters to the CEOs of these companies, requesting detailed information about their relationship with NewsGuard, a controversial organization that bills itself as an arbiter of online credibility but has been accused of promoting ideological bias.

A Surge in Censorship

“Over the past few years, Americans have lived through an unprecedented surge in censorship,” Carr wrote in his letters. “Big Tech companies silenced Americans for doing nothing more than exercising their First Amendment rights.”

Carr alleges that these companies, with help from NewsGuard and other media monitors, systematically suppressed speech related to politics, science, and religion. Among the tactics highlighted were:

• Defunding and Demonetization: Targeting news outlets that challenge mainstream narratives.

• Collaboration with Government: Working with the Biden-Harris administration to censor content deemed politically inconvenient.

• Manipulating Public Discourse: Promoting narratives that align with leftist ideologies while sidelining conservative viewpoints.

The NewsGuard Controversy

NewsGuard, a for-profit entity marketed as the Internet’s watchdog for reliable news, is at the center of Carr’s inquiry. According to Carr, NewsGuard’s actions often appear biased, favoring left-leaning outlets while suppressing dissent.

Key findings about NewsGuard include:

• Biased Ratings: Congressional investigations revealed that NewsGuard rated propaganda from the Chinese Communist Party as more credible than some American publications.

• Complicity in Censorship: NewsGuard’s advisory board includes individuals who signed the infamous October 2020 letter that falsely labeled the Hunter Biden laptop story as Russian disinformation.

• Influence on Advertising: The organization partners with advertising agencies to determine which outlets receive funding, creating an uneven playing field for conservative media.

Trump Administration to Investigate

Carr stated that the incoming Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress will take a hard look at these practices. “We need to restore accountability and ensure that no private company or organization is weaponizing its platform to suppress Americans’ constitutional rights,” he said.

Carr’s request demands that the companies provide details by December 10 about all products and services tied to NewsGuard. This includes any tools used to enforce NewsGuard’s ratings on platforms, advertisers, or content creators.

Defending Free Speech

This latest action underscores a growing conservative push to dismantle what they see as collusion between Big Tech and left-wing organizations to suppress dissent. As Carr’s investigation unfolds, Americans can expect deeper inquiries into the methods and motivations behind these censorship efforts.

“Big Tech’s era of unchecked power is coming to an end,” Carr said. “The American people deserve answers and a government that upholds their right to free expression.”

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