Fairfax, Va. – In response to a hearing today in the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Rick Manning, president of Americans for Limited Government, issued the following statement:
“What we heard in this hearing should trouble every American. Our nation was founded on the belief that a free and independent press is the greatest defense against government tyranny. By demanding private companies censor media outlets they disagree with, House Democrats are threatening the fundamental precept of the First Amendment that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press…” These politicians are undermining our foundational freedoms in the most profound way. It is shocking to see elected officials in America embrace the tactics of authoritarian regimes such as those of the Chinese Communist Party of China, Iran and North Korea.
“This is an abuse of power and every American should publicly denounce the Democrat’s censorship campaign aimed at silencing all political opposition. Freedom-loving Americans everywhere are afraid of being canceled on social media and even losing their jobs because of this destructive woke culture.
“For the past four years, establishment media outlets such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, NBC News, and on and on have reported on the false narrative of Russian collusion. Should they all be deplatformed? The answer is a resounding, ‘No.’ It is not the government’s role to silence free speech, even when it is consistently and egregiously wrong like these major outlets have proven to be time and again.
“Like the Founding Fathers, I trust the American people are smart enough to see through the fake news and determine what is true. And in this case, it is clear House Democrats are pursuing a dangerous, un-American course that will destroy our freedoms.”
Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 or email media@limitgov.org.