FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, slated to lead the agency in 2025, takes aim at Big Tech’s content moderation practices, signaling a potential shift in digital oversight.
At a Glance
- Donald Trump appoints Brendan Carr to chair the FCC starting January 2025
- Carr criticizes social media companies’ content moderation practices
- He warns Big Tech CEOs to reduce reliance on fact-checking sites like NewsGuard
- Carr threatens increased FCC regulation if companies don’t comply
- Trump describes Carr as a “warrior for free speech”
Carr’s Appointment and Mission
In a move that could reshape the landscape of digital communication and content moderation, Donald Trump has appointed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr to chair the U.S. communications regulator starting January 2025. Carr, who has served at the FCC under both the Trump and Biden administrations, is known for his opposition to what he terms “regulatory lawfare” and his vocal criticism of social media companies’ content moderation practices.
Trump’s decision to elevate Carr to this influential position comes with a clear mandate. The former president described Carr as a “warrior for free speech,” signaling a potential shift in the FCC’s approach to regulating digital platforms. Carr has expressed his commitment to “dismantle the censorship cartel,” a term he uses to describe the current state of content moderation in the tech industry.
Challenging Big Tech’s Content Moderation
At the heart of Carr’s agenda is a direct challenge to major technology companies regarding their content moderation practices. In a bold move, Carr has sent a letter to the CEOs of prominent tech firms, urging them to reduce their reliance on external fact-checking bodies, particularly singling out NewsGuard as an example.
This letter raises significant concerns about the integrity of moderation approaches based on external information sources that could be biased or flawed. Carr suggests that such practices might not constitute sincere efforts at fair content regulation, warning these companies that continued questionable moderation could provoke the FCC to impose stricter oversight.
The NewsGuard Controversy
Carr’s criticism extends particularly to NewsGuard, a service that bills itself as an arbiter of internet content. NewsGuard has faced accusations of enforcing one-sided narratives and being part of a broader censorship effort. Critics point out instances where NewsGuard has rated Chinese propaganda higher than American publications and its handling of controversial topics like the COVID-19 lab leak theory.
The implications of NewsGuard’s ratings go beyond mere content labeling. As noted in a 2024 U.S. House Committee on Small Business Staff Report, “these ratings, combined with NewsGuard’s vast partnerships in the advertising industry, select winners and losers in the news media space.” This suggests that NewsGuard’s influence extends to the financial viability of various media outlets, potentially impacting the diversity of voices in the digital sphere.
Looking Ahead: Potential Changes in Digital Oversight
As Carr prepares to take the helm at the FCC, his actions are seen as a move to challenge and potentially end what he perceives as censorship practices by Big Tech. His approach suggests a significant shift in how digital content and platforms might be regulated in the future. While supporters view this as a necessary step to protect free speech online, critics may worry about the potential for government overreach in digital spaces.
With Carr’s appointment, the tech industry and internet users alike may need to prepare for a new era of digital content regulation. The debate over censorship, bias, and accountability in the digital realm is likely to intensify, with the FCC potentially playing a more active role in shaping the future of online communication and content moderation.
Sources:
Trump Picks Carr To Head FCC With Pledge To Fight ‘Censorship Cartel’
Trump’s Incoming FCC Chairman Warns the Censorship Industry That Their Grift Is Ending
