Newly Released Documents Reveal Biden Administration's Pressure on Facebook to Limit Daily Wire Content and Promote Traditional News Outlets

President Biden's Administration Pressured Facebook to Limit Reach of Conservative News Outlet

According to meeting notes recently provided to Congress, President Joe Biden's administration exerted pressure on Facebook to limit the reach of conservative news outlet The Daily Wire on the platform. The administration also sought to increase the visibility of traditional media outlets. This move occurred shortly after President Biden assumed office in January 2021.

Facebook's Communication with the White House and Efforts to Modify Platform

According to recently released documents reviewed by The Daily Wire, Facebook has been in communication with the White House and has confirmed its efforts to modify its platform to align with the administration's directives regarding the suppression of content that contradicts its Covid vaccine agenda.

White House Digital Director Pressured Facebook to Moderate COVID Vaccine Content

According to meeting notes obtained by Just The News, then-White House Digital Director Rob Flaherty pressured Facebook executives in 2021 to moderate content related to COVID vaccines in line with the Biden administration's policy goals. Flaherty specifically asked about changing the algorithm to prioritize content from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal over news from The Daily Wire and other "polarizing" entities.

Discussion on Algorithm Changes and Impact on Vaccine Information

During a conversation about changing Americans' attitudes about COVID vaccines, Facebook employee Flaherty questioned the company's algorithm and suggested prioritizing authoritative news sources like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal over polarizing figures like Tomi Lahren and the Daily Wire. The discussion revolved around the potential impact of such algorithm changes on users' perception of vaccine information.

Biden Administration's Concerns about "Misinformation" on Facebook

According to meeting notes from April 2021, The Daily Wire emerged as the top publisher on Facebook, surpassing other major news outlets like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. The Biden administration expressed concerns about the spread of "misinformation" on Facebook, which they believed was contributing to vaccine hesitancy among Americans.

Government Official's Statement on Misinformation and Collaboration with Internet Companies

In a recent statement, Flaherty, a government official, expressed the need to address the issue of misinformation on the internet, which he believes is a bigger problem than just on Facebook. He emphasized the importance of understanding where the issues lie and implementing effective interventions. Flaherty also acknowledged that internet companies have access to better and more comprehensive data than the government, and he expressed a willingness to collaborate with them to combat misinformation.

White House's Concerns about Hesitancy on Facebook

During a meeting between Facebook and the White House, concerns were raised about the issue of hesitancy on the platform. The White House wanted to understand the factors contributing to this hesitancy, the extent of the problem, and how Facebook measures success when intervening. Facebook was unable to provide certain data requested by the White House, leading to frustration and a push for cooperation.

Call for Transparency and Cooperation from Partners

In an interview, Flaherty, a representative of a news site, expressed frustration with certain partners who either provide excessive information or refuse to cooperate. Flaherty compared the situation to "running around in circles" and "chasing our tails." He emphasized the need for transparency and straightforwardness, urging partners to be clear if they do not wish to share information. Flaherty also expressed a desire for Facebook (FB) to actively participate and help resolve the current challenges, referring to the situation as a "mess."

Accusations of Collusion and Censorship by the Biden Administration

Rep. Jim Jordan, who chairs the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, has accused the Biden administration of colluding with Facebook to censor Americans. Jordan has been sharing information on the administration's efforts to pressure the social media platform, and he recently highlighted the targeting of conservative news outlet The Daily Wire.

Alleged Attempt to Manipulate Users' News Feeds

According to Representative Jim Jordan, the Biden administration allegedly attempted to exert influence over Facebook's algorithm in order to manipulate users' news feeds. They reportedly questioned whether Facebook could prioritize posts from mainstream media outlets like the New York Times while reducing the visibility of conservative sources such as The Daily Wire and Tomi Lahren.

Desire for Control and Assumptions about Users

The content provided suggests that the Biden White House wanted to control what users see on Facebook by potentially influencing the platform's algorithm. They questioned whether Facebook could prioritize posts from mainstream sources like the New York Times over conservative outlets like the @realDailyWire and @TomiLahren. The motive behind this alleged desire for control is believed to be the assumption that users may not be smart enough to make their own decisions.

Criticism of White House's Actions and Violation of First Amendment

In a recent development, Republican Representative Jim Jordan criticized the White House for allegedly pressuring Facebook to reduce traffic to conservative news outlet, Daily Wire. Ben Shapiro, the Editor Emeritus of Daily Wire, called this action a violation of the First Amendment.