This report details the coordinated effort to discredit independent, private-citizen researchers and counter-disinformation initiatives, attempts to falsely label them as government censors, and the negative impacts these efforts have had on American democracy over the last four years.
The first use of Congressional resources to investigate alleged bias by “Big Tech” against conservatives was carried out by Rep. Jim Jordan before the 2020 election. These claims were subsequently amplified by influential conservative media figures and organizations, gaining significant traction in far-right circles.
A critical component of this strategy involved the creation of a network of allied groups, including America First Legal (AFL) and the Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI), to provide legal and political support for these claims. In 2021, the claims shifted their focus from “Big Tech,” to independent, private-citizen academic researchers studying disinformation, alleging that these researchers were “censoring” unfavorable, conservative viewpoints. These organizations, often backed by undisclosed donors with ties to the January 6th insurrection, have been instrumental in shaping public opinion and influencing congressional and legal action against said researchers.
The effort of these bad actors gained further momentum following the 2022 midterm elections when Republicans regained control of the House of Representatives. This political shift allowed fringe conspiracy theories around “censorship” to be elevated to the national stage. The formation of the House Weaponization Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Jordan, provided a platform for these claims to be further disseminated.
Simultaneously, the release of the “Twitter Files” offered a seemingly credible veneer to these allegations. Despite countless inconsistencies and factual errors, the Twitter Files were extensively covered by right-wing media, generating substantial revenue for their authors and further solidifying the narrative of supposed censorship being carried out by independent, private-citizen researchers.
The combined efforts of conservative media, allied organizations, and congressional investigations have created a hostile environment for disinformation researchers. These individuals have been subjected to public harassment, legal threats, and congressional subpoenas. This coordinated attack has undermined public trust in credible information sources and hindered efforts to combat the spread of disinformation.
This report demonstrates a clear and concerted pattern of action to discredit counter-disinformation research. By falsely accusing independent, private-citizen researchers of censorship, these groups have successfully eroded public confidence in essential fact-checking and critical thinking processes. These efforts pose a significant threat to democratic institutions, public discourse, and the fast-approaching 2024 election.