Johnson Fights for the First Amendment

Statement

WASHINGTON --Congressman Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) released the following statement after an Energy and Commerce hearing titled "Disinformation and Extremism in the Media":

"Just two weeks ago, China's National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) banned BBC World News from broadcasting in China because it found BBC's reports "seriously violate" its' broadcast guidelines, including "the requirement that news should be truthful and fair" and not "harm China's national interests." While we expect this behavior from oppressive, authoritarian regimes like China, such actions have historically been viewed -- by both Republicans and Democrats -- as un-American behavior here in the United States. That is, until now…as demonstrated in a letter to private companies this week from House Democrats," said Bill Johnson.

"In their letter House Democrats claim private companies who broadcast Fox News, Newsmax, and OANN are responsible for "disseminating misinformation to millions." This letter also demands the private companies justify why these channels remain on the air. Democrats are trying to make the case that Fox News or Newsmax issued a direct rallying call to storm the Capitol on January 6th. But all of us know nothing even close to that happened. Rather, all of the factual intelligence suggests that any planning for the riots occurred predominantly on social media, including Facebook," Johnson continued. "And to make matters worse, throughout their letter Democrats attempt to justify their actions by citing sources from competitors to Fox, Newsmax, and OANN -- specifically, CNN, Vox and the Washington Post -- clearly creating a conflict of interest."

"Unlike some of my colleagues, I believe Members of Congress should not pressure private companies to stop airing things they don't ideologically agree with. Professor Jonathan Turley of George Washington University Law School and a nationally recognized constitutional scholar agrees. He says "it's an attack on free speech'. This is dangerous! For those truly concerned about media disinformation, I encourage them to review the liberal media's coverage of the deadly, violent and destructive riots that occurred throughout America last summer -- riots they commonly described to as "mostly peaceful protests". The bottom line here is that Washington politicians demanding that private companies stop broadcasting television channels they don't like mirrors the authoritarianism found in China and Russia. That's wrong, and the Democrats know it," Johnson said.

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