Biden urged tech companies to put an end to spreading coronavirus information counter to what has been approved by government health officials.
QUICK FACTS:
- President Joe Biden is calling on tech giants to censor “misinformation or disinformation” regarding COVID-19, according to The National File.
- Biden is asking private companies to work with the administration to act against anyone who is spreading information counter to what the government has offered as fact in the coronavirus pandemic.
- The president’s comments came as he spoke to reporters earlier this week, citing the use of military members to work in private hospitals to assist with patient care.
- Some conservatives, such as Media Research Center’s Nick Kangadis, are calling on Americans to protest by posting this content at will in hopes of overwhelming whatever systems the tech companies have put into place.
WHAT BIDEN SAID:
- “Unfortunately while our military’s stepping up, as they always do, there are others sitting on the sidelines, and worse standing in the way,” said Biden. “If you haven’t gotten vaccinated, do it. Personal choice impacts us all.”
- “I make a special appeal to social media companies and media outlets,” Biden began. “Please deal with the misinformation and disinformation that’s on your shows, it has to stop.”
- “COVID-19 is one of the most formidable enemies our country has ever faced, and we’ve got to work together, not against each other,” he concluded.
BACKGROUND:
- Tech companies, particularly social media platforms, have a history of censorship and have been under fire from conservatives for several years.
- In May of last year, Breitbart News reported on five of the most egregious examples of online censorship, including social media banning former President Donald Trump and the platforms suppression of the stories surrounding Hunter Biden.
