In a new statement, David Inserra, our policy expert for free expression and technology states “President Trump’s new EO on government censorship recognizes the power the government can wield to pressure or coerce private companies to censor Americans’ speech. Over the past few years, various agencies of the government communicated in a range of ways with social media companies about important social issues including COVID and US elections. While not always directly coercive, these communications effectively forced social media companies to censor more Americans’ speech or else face the wrath of a hostile administration.

Americans of all viewpoints should have confidence that their government is not working to suppress their First Amendment protected speech and so it is entirely appropriate for the Trump administration to reaffirm the importance of expression and investigate potential abuses.”

To speak with David about topics regarding free speech and expression in the coming weeks, please don’t hesitate to reach out.