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Dear John,
A few months into her key role in the Biden administration, Press Secretary Jen Psaki has proven her skill at deflecting questions. "Let me circle back on that," she often tells reporters.
But when one of the nation's most controversial issues -- Big Tech censorship -- came up, she was clearly empowered to speak directly on behalf of the Biden-Harris perspective.
Specifically, Psaki was asked about Facebook's decision to ban former President Trump from its platform for over two years after their "Oversight Board" reviewed the issue.
At a May 5 press briefing, Psaki said: "[the President's] view is that there is more that needs to be done to ensure that this type of misinformation, disinformation, damaging, sometimes life-threatening information is not going out to the American public."
In an alarming turn, our government now endorses suppressing speech!
Today, Family Research Council has a bold vision to cut through media censorship and communicate biblical truth.
Our multifaceted plan to bypass the censors includes new ways to inform and empower conservatives like you who are motivated by their biblical values. It includes a new broadcast studio in the nation's Bible Belt and new platforms to elevate trusted voices.
As you read on for details of plans already in motion, will you consider giving your best gift today to magnify FRC's voice -- your voice -- for biblical values?
DONATE NOW
Family Research Council has played a crucial role raising these social media censorship issues to the attention of Americans from coast to coast.
Unfortunately, we know what it's like to have the work of our own expert analysts blocked by censors. In recent months, FRC has been abruptly dropped by two tech vendors because of our promotion of norms on marriage and sexuality that have been accepted for thousands of years.
And just last week we had a video of a Washington Watch interview removed by Big Tech giant YouTube.
The interview was focused on the dangers of removing parental involvement in the medical decisions for their children -- specifically a new Washington D.C. law authorizing schools to administer COVID-19 vaccines to children without parental notification. YouTube censors slapped their favorite scare-word on it "misinformation," and censored the video.
FRC's appeal of the decision was initially rejected, but after further attention was brought to the situation through Washington Watch and a press release, YouTube finally backtracked days later.
We are glad to see our video restored on YouTube but recognize that there are many conservatives who are quietly being censored and do not have an adequate recourse to get the heavy hand of Big Tech giants like YouTube to budge.
If it was not FRC -- with a nationwide platform on nearly 800 radio stations and tens of thousands of engaged Christians like you, John, reading our daily communications -- would YouTube have admitted their error?
It seems like Big Tech's default setting is to shut up conservatives, requiring them to jump through hoops and file appeals in order to speak on issues from a perspective different from that of the Left. This should not be.
Conservatives should not have to get media attention in order to be heard. YouTube is failing to live up to its stated mission 'to give everyone a voice and show them the world.'
Because social media firms are private companies, some observers give them a free pass regarding any policies they set ... regardless of how they target conservatives.
These issues of censorship and free speech can be difficult to navigate, which is why I've invited Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) on FRC's Washington Watch program multiple times.
Senator Hawley, who is no stranger to censorship, rightly compares Google and Facebook to powerful oil and railroad tycoons of the early 20th century -- except they're worse. "Those (tycoons) didn't have control over news, over free speech, and over information."
Writing in a recent court order, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas weighed in on which digital platforms exercise power without accountability.
"Although both companies are public, one person controls Facebook (Mark Zuckerberg), and just two control Google (Larry Page and Sergey Brin)," wrote Thomas.
In other words, three people have enough authority to pull anyone they disagree with from the digital square -- even the commander-in-chief. It's a frightening new global reality.
To push back on censorship, we at FRC are not waiting on the Supreme Court to take up a case related to Big Tech and Big Media. Our plan to broadcast biblical truth is moving ahead.
Will you pray about what you can give to support our innovative broadcast strategies?
DONATE NOW
Thanks to the Lord's provision through visionary partners, FRC has acquired property to build a state-of-the-art studio in Louisiana. While our Washington, D.C. headquarters will remain the hub of FRC's policy activity, this studio presents exciting new possibilities.
This new studio and its capabilities are only one part of a larger impact plan that includes every available channel: social media, online news outlets, special communication to pastors and church leaders, and in-depth resources that allow Christians to tackle difficult topics.
Our nation needs this ambitious strategy -- but we can only make it happen with your help.
Thank you for your faithful partnership that enables FRC to be a light and witness in the culture. As part of our stewardship, be assured we will report back on progress with this project.
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2021 Family Research Council.