Murdoch hold told investors at the meeting that “Facebook employees try to silence conservative voices, and a quick Google News search on most contemporary topics often reveals a similar pattern of selectivity – or, to be blunt, censorship.”
Thompson, echoing Murdoch’s remarks, commented on how the New York Post, owned by News Corp, had its Twitter account suspended last year over a controversial story they published about the business dealings of US President Biden’s son Hunter in China.
Thompson said: "As Rupert mentioned, there’s obvious censorship, as was experienced at the New York Post, and the more subtle institutionalised censorship in Big Digital. It’s a confluence of the institutional, the technological, the social and political, and it is important that we stand firm against that morbific movement to mute.”
Thompson’s remarks not only echo those of Murdoch, but also those made by senior Republican figures in the USA such as House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California.
McCarthy has accused Facebook of “acting like a Democrat Super PAC” and remarked via Twitter, “A House Republican majority will rein in big tech power over our speech.”
Rep. Jim Jordan, a Republican legislator from Ohio, responding to the suspension of former US President Donald Trump from Facebook and Instagram earlier this year tweeted “Break them up.”
Rep. Jim Bank, a Republican legislator from Indiana, wrote the following on Twitter following the former president’s suspension from Facebook: “This is a dangerous and reckless decision and sends a clear signal to conservatives using social media – you’re not welcome here.”
He added: “If Facebook is so big it thinks it can silence the leaders you elect, it’s time for conservatives to pursue an antitrust agenda.”
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