Free speech, privacy, and civil liberties are at risk. If work on censorship, cancel culture, and the erosion of civil liberties is important to you, please consider becoming a supporter here. | Documents that recently came to light thanks to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests show FBI's involvement in yet more controversial activity. This time, it's what activists see as invasive government surveillance that is particularly untransparent.
News about the agency's actions over the years, at the very least questionable, and influencing a range of issues, have been cropping up lately almost regularly - most prominently in accusations regarding the FBI's role in government-Big Tech online censorship collusion...
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| | The 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans has granted a reprieve to the Biden administration in a case concerning its interactions with social media firms over contentious online speech and "misinformation."
The decision temporarily suspends a preliminary injunction that sought to ban censorship collusion with social media platforms in an order previously issued by US District Judge Terry Doughty.
|  | We obtained a copy of the order for you here.
On July 4th, Judge Doughty passed an injunction that effectively barred various government departments and administration officials from advocating or inciting the suppression or removal of online content considered to be constitutionally protected free speech.
The lawsuit that led to the injunction had been lodged the previous year, alleging that the Biden administration had effectively suppressed free speech through potential regulatory threats and pressure on companies to purge what it classified as "misinformation."
The dispute particularly centered around topics like COVID-19 vaccines and claims of election fraud.
The legal team representing the Biden administration swiftly sought a stay on the injunction, contending that it was both overly broad and vague.
They raised concerns over the potential implications of the order on the scope of discussions officials could have with social media firms and the content of public statements and that the injunction was preventing them from combating "misinformation."
Despite these arguments, Judge Doughty declined to suspend his order. In his written denial, he stated that the administration was essentially seeking a stay so it could continue infringing on the First Amendment, a viewpoint the government vehemently disputes.
The administration's lawyers petitioned the 5th Circuit Court to suspend the injunction, asserting a lack of evidence for any administrative threats. The stay on the injunction is in place at least until oral arguments on the appeal are heard. |  | Entrepreneur and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy made headlines at the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines, Iowa, asserting that pervasive censorship led to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
Ramaswamy voiced his views during a comprehensive interview, broadcasted by The Blaze and conducted by the former host of Fox News, Tucker Carlson. The exchange took place during the summit aimed at debating salient political challenges that America grapples with.
Carlson prompted Ramaswamy to reflect on the occasion when fervent Trump supporters breached the Capitol.
Ramaswamy laid some of the blame squarely on online censorship, stating that when people in the United States are denied their right to express their views, they resort to destructive behavior.
He criticized the federal government for mandating vaccinations under threat of job loss, restricting citizens from questioning the origins of COVID-19, and condoning violent protests during the pandemic lockdown. In his view, these actions amounted to stifling the voice of the people, leading to the upheaval on January 6.Watch the clip here.The 37-year-old entrepreneur emphasized that the information vacuum, notably with regard to the suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story, was a crucial factor in triggering the Capitol riot.
"You want to know what caused January 6: pervasive censorship in this country in the lead-up to January 6," Ramaswamy, 37, said. "You tell people in this country they cannot speak, that is when they scream. You tell people they cannot scream, that is when they tear things down."
He added:
"And so the reality is, we were told that you could not question where the virus came from when we all knew it came from a lab in Wuhan, which now they admit. We were told that you could not send a private message to someone on the eve of an election that Hunter Biden's laptop story was actually a true story worth considering before an election."You were systematically suppressed. So think about this. You were told you had to be locked down, had to take a vaccine that was mandated and forced down your throat, stay locked down in your home while Antifa and BLM roam and burned the streets of this country. So that's the lead up. of one full year of telling people you have to shut up, sit down, and do as you're told."
The issue of censorship extended to social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, which stifled sharing of this story and other contentious issues challenging official narratives.
Ramaswamy, known for founding the biopharmaceutical firm Roivant Sciences and co-founding Strive Asset Management, has cited his commitment to free speech during his presidential campaign. |  | A lawsuit has been initiated by the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia (ACLU-WV) against a local politician in Jefferson County, accusing him of infringing on a citizen's First Amendment rights by blocking her on his official Facebook page.
We obtained a copy of the complaint for you here.
The county official in question, Commissioner Steve Stolipher, blocked a constituent, Christy Stadig, from his social media account after she engaged him in a conversation about a recent county audit.
The action of Commissioner Stolipher is viewed as an infraction of the free speech rights of citizens, since the Facebook page of an elected official is deemed a public forum in most cases.
Courts have mostly affirmed that barring constituents from accessing or contributing to such platforms constitutes an illegal curb on free speech, restricting the public's capacity to interact with their representatives on issues of community concern.
ACLU-WV Legal Director, Aubrey Sparks, states that critiquing public figures is a fundamental aspect of the First Amendment. She points out the existence of federal court decisions binding West Virginia, which declare social media platforms of public officials as public forums. Sparks anticipates a similar declaration from the state court.
Related: First Amendment Claims Over Politicians Blocking Citizens On Social Media Are Getting Murky
The incident with Commissioner Stolipher came to light in May 2022 when he dismissed Stadig's request to unblock her at a Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee meeting. She had earlier found out she was blocked following a conversation regarding a county audit.
Sparks acknowledges that unjustifiable blocking by public Facebook pages is one of the most frequent grievances reported to her department.
In the wake of an era where politicians and public agencies increasingly employ social media to propagate their agendas, Sparks highlights the escalating issue of unlawful blocking. She affirms, "If a politician's skin is too thin to withstand questions from the people they represent, then they maintain the right to simply stay off of social media."
Stadig, the plaintiff in this lawsuit, emphasizes her objective is to uphold the constitutional rights of ordinary citizens. She argues that all restrictions imposed on free speech by government officials, no matter their stature, warrant scrutiny, and citizens have the means to stand up for their rights. |  | | With a fervor rooted in values of freedom, the outspoken host of The Chad Prather Show on BlazeTV, Chad Prather, has aligned himself with Baste Records. Founded by Matthew Azrieli, this Nashville-based record label provides a resounding platform for conservative musicians and artists to express their viewpoints and values through their craft.
The collaboration marks a significant step for Baste Records as it continues to attract high-profile figures known for their uncompromising stance on conservative beliefs. Prather will now leverage his newly forged alliance with the label to champion his strong convictions.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Prather narrated how the label approached him several months ago, outlining their ambitious vision. He commended their purpose of creating an uncancelable platform that supports and safeguards artistic expression. Prather himself had previously faced attempts to de-platform and de-monetize him across various media platforms. The concept resonated with him, given his relentless pursuit of outlets that refuse to censor his voice, allowing him to express his thoughts and feelings unrestrained.
|  | His conviction was unambiguous as he discussed the label's potential to make a significant, lasting impact, a "legacy" in his words. "I believe if you know who you are and you know where you're going, if you have a sense of identity, you've got a sense of destiny, you truly will leave something behind. That's legacy, and I think that Baste Records is going to do something for posterity's sake that maybe, a couple of generations from now, they're going to look back and say, 'I'm sure glad these guys did this,'" Prather said, as reported by The Blaze.
"With Chad Prather joining the label, Baste Records showcases its commitment to promoting music that resonates with conservative values. Prather, a household name, refuses to self-censor and compromise his patriotic convictions," Baste Records wrote in a press release.
In a reflective moment, Prather expressed anticipation for the creative projects that lay ahead with the label, signaling his readiness to embark on this journey.
Baste Records is also home to musician Brad Skistimas, known by his stage name, Five Times August. Not a stranger to backlash, Skistimas has experienced numerous social media bans due to his music that criticizes Dr. Anthony Fauci and the medical establishment. He officially joined the label in June 2023, adding to the cadre of conservative artists who have found their voice with Baste Records.
This move signals an era of enhanced representation for musicians and artists and a bold stand against the current climate of cancel culture. |  | Presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis, in a conversation with former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, vehemently argued against the possible introduction of a digital dollar by the Federal Reserve. The discourse took place at an event spearheaded by the right-leaning Family Policy Alliance lobby group.
DeSantis, who has a long-standing aversion to Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) emphasized that any move towards the creation of a digital dollar would necessitate congressional authorization.
Despite this, he warned that the Fed might endeavor to push this financial innovation unilaterally - an act he contends is at odds with constitutional principles.Watch the clip here."If I'm the President, on day one, we will nix central bank digital currency," DeSantis affirmed, expressing his hostility towards CBDCs.
The underlying cause of DeSantis's staunch opposition is rooted in his belief that the Federal Reserve will exploit CBDCs to advocate an anti-cash, anti-crypto policy. The Florida Governor predicts a future where CBDCs usurp all other forms of legal tender, effectively granting the Fed the power to restrict purchases they deem unfavorable, such as fuel and ammunition.
The controversial issue of CBDCs has taken center stage as the 2024 electoral race intensifies. Many, especially within libertarian sections of the Republican Party, are apprehensive that such currencies might encroach upon the sacrosanct privacy rights of American citizens. There's a growing chorus arguing that CBDCs could bestow governments with an unprecedented level of control over individual expenditure.
In his critique, DeSantis harnessed the emblematic values of America. He insinuated that proponents of CBDCs aim to establish a "social credit system" in the US, emphatically referring to CBDCs as a "threat to American liberty."
DeSantis is not the lone voice in the wilderness expressing discontent with CBDCs. Republican contender Vivek Ramaswamy also shared similar sentiments. "Just like ESG [Environmental, Social, and Governance] came out of the 2008 financial crisis, central bank digital currencies are what is going to come out of this next one… This is likely where this is heading. It is a longer-term game to a disaster," Ramaswamy said.
On the Democratic front, Bitcoin advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has categorized CBDCs as tools of control, cautioning about their potential misuse.
DeSantis's skepticism towards CBDCs has been consistent. In his capacity as the Florida governor, he ratified a law in May barring CBDCs from achieving legal tender status. The aspiring president is pushing Republican-led states to adopt similar deterrents against CBDCs. As part of this mission, he has reached out to a coalition of 20 states to counteract federal endorsement of CBDCs. | | Thanks for reading,
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