Concerns Over Censorship in the UK and EU

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) shared his views with Breitbart News, expressing that the European Union and the UK seem to mirror the Biden administration’s approach to censoring free speech on tech platforms.

Jordan made these comments after wrapping up a bipartisan trip to Europe. He voiced serious worries about how the UK and EU are restricting free expression across their regions.

In a detailed discussion, he highlighted the UK’s attempts to suppress criticism of immigration during the riots in August 2024. He emphasized that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle sought to silence conversations about their judicial system.

According to the British Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), there would be “no apology” for flagging harmful content.

Jordan characterized the government’s actions as a “direct attack on freedom of speech,” asserting that this has significant repercussions.

Ohio lawmakers noted that their recent delegation to the UK and EU did little to ease their concerns—in fact, it may have amplified them regarding the implications for American free speech under the First Amendment.

He suggested that the pressure being applied by the UK and EU on tech platforms mirrors the Biden administration’s successes in censoring content on platforms like Meta.

The Biden administration, Jordan said, has worked to suppress videos associated with Tucker Carlson, information on COVID-19, and books critiquing major pharmaceutical companies.

“This is a narrative that needs to be highlighted,” he remarked.

Jordan shared that previously, during an investigation, he received a letter from Mark Zuckerberg revealing that the Biden administration had pressured Facebook to censor content related to COVID-19, expressing regret for not being more transparent about this pressure.

He stated that the situation in Europe needs to be addressed, particularly given the implications for First Amendment rights.

Jordan plans to relay his findings from the European trip to both the White House and the Trump administration.

He also criticized the EU’s digital regulations as “attacks on American businesses,” expressing concern that the UK’s online safety laws threaten free speech. The recently enforced laws allow the British regulatory agency Ofcom to impose hefty fines on social media platforms, a move critics argue restricts political content under the guise of protecting children from harmful material.

Preston Burn, a partner at a tech law firm, noted that several American websites have approached him about challenging the British telecom regulator, Ofcom, regarding these free speech issues.

He indicated they might seek federal court declarations affirming that the online safety law is invalid in the U.S.

Jordan underscored that while the new regulations mandate tech companies to remove illicit content and shield children from harmful material, there’s no need to restrict legal content for adult users.

He again pointed to EU laws as troubling for free speech.

The Judiciary Committee is contemplating legislation aimed at preventing censorship within coastal laws, suggesting non-U.S. citizens, including foreign officials, could face deportation for violations related to the First Amendment.

Jordan noted a shifting dynamic, despite the ongoing concerns about the UK’s online safety regulations. He observed that GB News has recently outperformed the BBC as the UK’s leading news channel.

He praised GB News for addressing immigration issues and censorship openly.

Jordan concluded that the dedicated oversight efforts of the Judiciary Committee over the years reflect significant shifts in the advocacy for First Amendment rights.