Title: Experts criticize Trump's executive order on government censorship as a "frontal attack on truth"
In a bold move, former President Trump issued an executive order titled "Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship." This order aims to safeguard the constitutional right of American citizens to express themselves freely, without interference from the federal government. It explicitly prohibits any federal official from engaging in or facilitating conduct that unconstitutionally restricts free speech.[1][4][5]
The Attorney General is instructed to investigate any federal activities over the past four years that contradict the purposes and policies of this order. The goal is to identify and rectify past wrongs related to unconstitutional censorship.[1][2][4]
A significant shift in policy is also apparent. The order forbids federal officials from pressuring social media companies to combat misinformation and disinformation, a practice that was prevalent during the previous administration.[3][5]
However, critics argue that this order might be exploited for political retaliation. The fear is that the new administration could use it as a tool for "jawboning," or pressuring private entities to suppress opposing views.[2]
Furthermore, the order could have far-reaching impacts on social media platforms. By lessening government pressure to remove certain content, platforms might relax their moderation policies, potentially leading to a surge of diverse and controversial content.[5]
The order aligns with recent Supreme Court rulings, such as National Rifle Association of America v. Vullo (2024), which concluded that using private actors to suppress free speech is unconstitutional.[1] However, the order's practical implementation and legal challenges are yet to be fully realized.[6]
Political divisiveness seems likely to escalate as a result of this executive order. Some see it as a necessary protection for free speech, while others view it as a justification for past actions and blame shifting.[2][5]
The media outlets may now report news without fear of government intervention, thanks to the executive order's prohibition of pressuring them to combat misinformation. This shift in policy could potentially boost business for social media companies by allowing a wider range of content on their platforms.