FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has accused Big Tech companies of suppressing free speech, calling for the dismantling of what he calls a “censorship cartel.” His remarks follow revelations about coordinated efforts to control narratives on digital platforms.
Carr’s critique was delivered in an open letter to executives at Apple, Meta, Google, and Microsoft. He accused these companies of working with organizations like NewsGuard to demonetize and suppress outlets that challenge mainstream viewpoints. “The censorship cartel must be dismantled,” Carr stated.
The commissioner criticized NewsGuard’s role in determining the credibility of news outlets, citing a U.S. House Committee on Small Business report that accused the organization of unfairly favoring certain media. Carr also highlighted findings from the Twitter Files, which revealed how tech platforms collaborated with external entities to censor content.
Carr argued that NewsGuard’s practices raise questions about whether these actions comply with Section 230’s “good faith” provisions. He pointed to instances where NewsGuard rated Chinese propaganda more favorably than American sources and penalized reports on controversial topics like the COVID-19 lab leak theory.
To address these concerns, Carr requested that Big Tech companies provide a list of all partnerships with NewsGuard and similar organizations by December 10. He called for greater transparency and accountability, urging companies to respect Americans’ constitutional rights.
Carr’s statements reflect growing public frustration with perceived bias in Big Tech. He warned that continued suppression of dissenting voices could erode trust in democratic institutions, emphasizing the need to protect freedom of expression.
