Censor or else: Democratic lawmakers warn Facebook not to ‘backslide’ on censors

[Ralph Wiggum]

With the restoration of free speech protections on Twitter, panic has grown on the left that its control over social media could come to an end. Now, some of the greatest advocates of censorship in Congress are specifically warning Facebook not to follow Twitter in restoring free speech to its platform.

In a chilling letter from Reps. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., André Carson, D-Ind., Kathy Castor, D-Fla., and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Facebook was given a not-so-subtle threat that reducing its infamous censorship system will invite congressional action. The letter to Meta’s president of global affairs, Nick Clegg, is written on congressional stationery "as part of our ongoing oversight efforts."

With House Republicans pledging to investigate social media censorship when they take control in January, these four Democratic members are trying to force Facebook to "recommit" to censoring opposing views and to make election censorship policies permanent. Otherwise, they suggest, they may be forced to exercise oversight into any move by Facebook to "alter or rollback certain misinformation policies."

In addition to demanding that Facebook preserve its bans on figures like former President Donald Trump, they want Facebook to expand its censorship overall because "unlike other major social media platforms, Meta’s policies do not prohibit posts that make unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud."

Clegg is given Schiff's telephone number to discuss Facebook’s compliance – an ironic contact point for a letter on censoring "disinformation." After all, Schiff was one of the members of Congress who, before the 2020 presidential election, pushed the false claim that the Hunter Biden laptop was Russian disinformation, and he has been criticized for pushing false narratives on Trump-Russia collusion in the 2016 election.

The letter to Clegg is reminiscent of another letter sent by several congressional Democrats to cable-TV carriers last year, demanding to know why they continue to carry Fox News. (For full disclosure, I appear as a legal analyst on Fox News.) As I later discussed in congressional testimony, it was an open effort by those Democrats to censor opposing views by proxy or by surrogate.

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/censor-or-else-democratic-lawmakers-warn-facebook-not-backslide-censorship

A scary piece from Jonathan Turley.

[ADsOutburst]

This makes me all the more glad that Musk has wrested Twitter (at least somewhat) from the stinking clutches of the left, and shed more light on what was going on there.

[Ralph Wiggum]

This makes me all the more glad that Musk has wrested Twitter (at least somewhat) from the stinking clutches of the left, and shed more light on what was going on there.

Agreed. This is a perfect example of the left clinging for as much power as possible to control the narrative and define what "misinformation" is.

[Eupher]

How much damage can these lame ducks do in two weeks' time?

When/if Jordan and McCarthy make good on their "pledge" to "investigate", all that will -- or should -- come out in the wash.

Schiff needs to board a paddleboat and go out to sea. OK, throw him a turkey sandwich and a bottle of water. He'll need something.

[ABC-2]

<snip>

Schiff needs to board a paddleboat and go out to sea. OK, throw him a turkey sandwich and a bottle of water. He'll need something.

You are being far too kind to him Euph! 

Here is a quote from a JFK PRAYER,  that he should at least be able to put to use when needed in said boat ... [evil-grin]

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/o-god-thy-sea-so-great-my-boat-small-dk-matai

~ ABC

[Eupher]

You are being far too kind to him Euph! 

Here is a quote from a JFK PRAYER,  that he should at least be able to put to use when needed in said boat ... [evil-grin]

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/o-god-thy-sea-so-great-my-boat-small-dk-matai

~ ABC

Nice little tidbit about JFK -- didn't know that. 

[SVPete]

Schifftyroo's not very bright. I think many/most Americans will realize this means that FB, et al, have been acting on the Dems' orders. Schifftyroo made that very public, for those willing to recognize what they see. A staffer dialing up an exec or three and asking, "We still cool?" would have sufficed.

[Texacon]

I don't understand how this is not a very clear violation of our 1st amendment rights.  You put threats on Congressional Letterhead, demanding censorship of things you disagree with, that seems a cut and dried violation.

Adam needs to hand out the documents he claimed to have proving Trump/Russia collusion or STFU.

KC

[SVPete]

Well, there's no way Pelosiroo will refer Schifftyroo to the DOJ for prosecution. And even on the slim chance the Rs do next year, there's no way in Hades Garland would actually prosecute
 him. So Schifftyroo can pretty much say whatever lies and absurdities he chooses, including libel/slander, so long as he can claim it was part of his job in Congress.

[Eupher]

Well, there's no way Pelosiroo will refer Schifftyroo to the DOJ for prosecution. And even on the slim don't-hold-your-breath chance the Rs do next year, there's no way in Hades Garland would actually prosecute
 him. So Schifftyroo can pretty much say whatever lies and absurdities he chooses, including libel/slander, so long as he can claim it was part of his job in Congress.

FIFY