A recent injunction issued by a federal judge temporarily restricts White House officials from communicating with tech companies regarding social media censorship, raising concerns about potential free speech violations. The ruling names former White House Press Secretary and current MSNBC host Jen Psaki multiple times, citing instances where she allegedly pressured social media platforms to censor COVID-19 misinformation. The injunction stems from lawsuits filed by Louisiana and Missouri Attorneys General, alleging the White House coerced tech companies to stifle free speech during the pandemic.
The judge's order prohibits several federal officials and agencies from contacting social media companies to suppress speech. The injunction argues that the government's actions likely infringe on First Amendment rights, potentially representing a significant attack on free speech in US history. It highlights concerns that the government disregarded the First Amendment in its attempts to combat disinformation.
The injunction details instances where Psaki reportedly flagged posts for Facebook and discussed the White House's regular communication with social media platforms. The judge found it noteworthy that the examples of suppressed speech cited were predominantly conservative. The ruling also references a previous motion by Psaki's attorneys to block a deposition, which the judge denied, emphasizing the public interest in investigating potential free speech suppression.
