On July 10, 2024, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing to investigate allegations against the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) for allegedly engaging in censorship and anticompetitive practices that targeted conservative viewpoints. This hearing highlighted the ongoing concerns about free speech and the influence of powerful media coalitions on public discourse.
The Global Alliance for Responsible Media, established in 2019 by the World Federation of Advertisers and endorsed by the World Economic Forum, aims to address harmful content on digital media platforms. However, recent revelations suggest that GARM's practices may have crossed legal boundaries, particularly in relation to antitrust laws.
Just your daily reminder that the media does not give a sh*t about helping you think critically or they wouldn't be actively involved in censorship and partisan politics. pic.twitter.com/PITfUJ3d0t
— Dissident Minds Product Co. (@dissidentaf) August 1, 2024
According to the House Judiciary Committee's report, GARM has been accused of using its substantial influence to starve conservative media outlets of advertising revenue. Internal communications revealed that GARM members, including major advertising firms like GroupM, discussed strategies to block ads on platforms such as The Daily Wire, Fox News, and Breitbart News due to ideological differences.
During the hearing, Ben Shapiro, co-founder of The Daily Wire, testified about the significant impact of these practices on conservative media. Shapiro argued that GARM acts as a cartel, controlling a vast majority of the advertising market and effectively determining which media outlets thrive or fail based on their adherence to specific political narratives.
Snapchat AI won’t even confirm there was an attempt on President Trump. The censorship among the woke companies and media is crazy and needs to end! If it weren’t for X we wouldn’t even know the attempt happened. Thank you @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/ODvccp13XV
— Casey (@iCaseyTTV) July 28, 2024
The committee's investigation also uncovered that GARM had attempted to influence social media platforms like Twitter and Spotify to demonetize and censor content that did not align with its brand safety guidelines. This included efforts to pressure Spotify over Joe Rogan's podcast and to persuade Twitter to restrict advertising following its acquisition by Elon Musk.
Emails from GARM leaders, including Rob Rakowitz, expressed disdain for certain viewpoints and strategized on how to suppress them. These communications suggested a concerted effort to limit the reach of conservative voices under the guise of maintaining brand safety.
Critics argue that GARM's actions represent a dangerous precedent where powerful coalitions can control public discourse and limit free speech. This investigation has raised questions about the balance between preventing harmful content and ensuring a diversity of viewpoints in the media landscape.
In response, GARM has defended its practices, claiming that its guidelines are voluntary and aimed at improving transparency and safety in digital advertising. The organization maintains that it does not engage in anticompetitive behavior and cooperates fully with ongoing investigations.
