Federal Trade Commission (FTC) chief Andrew Ferguson is contesting a lawsuit from NewsGuard, a company that rates news accuracy. Supporters believe Ferguson understands how Big Tech misuses its power to suppress free speech, which informed the FTC’s investigation into NewsGuard amidst the $25 billion merger between Interpublic and Omnicom. Concerns arise over NewsGuard’s ranking methods, which might favor “left-leaning” outlets, similar to practices of the now-defunct Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), which faced backlash for its influence on global advertising funds.
NewsGuard maintains that it accurately rates news outlets, claiming that some are penalized for “attention-grabbing headlines” rather than factual accuracy. Critics argue that it unfairly targets outlets that challenge mainstream narratives, as illustrated by its responses to reporting on relevant political topics, including Hunter Biden’s laptop.
Although NewsGuard defends its right to rate based on its standards, Ferguson is emphasizing the potential antitrust implications of its practices regarding “misinformation” and how they could violate the Sherman Antitrust Act. The article asserts that NewsGuard’s operations align more with controlling free speech than protecting it, suggesting it serves vested interests by promoting a liberal agenda while stifling dissenting viewpoints. Ferguson is encouraged to persist in his efforts against such practices.
