Censorship, shamelessly encouraged by the European authorities
On 27 January 2022 [1] the European Commission announced the publication of the new reports [2] by Facebook, Google, Microsoft, TikTok and Twitter, co-signatories [3] of the Code of Practice on Disinformation [4]. They all say they observed in November and December a sharp increase in content related to vaccines and covid. Some say they have dismantled “anti-vax” networks. Nothing new, nor anything earth-shattering.
What is intriguing, on the other hand, is that their efforts do not seem to be focused on an impartial fight against disinformation in general, as one might demand of them – if one approves of this kind of practice. No, it is very much a fight in tandem with public institutions, European ones in this case, specifically against “disinformation” related to covid and vaccines.
How else should we interpret the words of Věra Jourová, Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency? “The efforts of the signatories to support vaccination campaigns in the EU are crucial as the spread of Omicron poses significant challenges. […]” [5]
Or the words of thanks from Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market: “I thank the platforms for showing commitment in this regular monitoring exercise to fight against COVID disinformation. […]” [6].
Soon to be enshrined in legislation
This brings to mind the times when leaders praised the contribution of various industries to the war effort or to gross national product. But it also brings to mind state censorship in cooperation with the private sector. The proof? The implementation of a legal framework, the Digital Services Act [7], is clearly announced: “The strengthened Code of Practice in 2021 will evolve towards a co-regulatory instrument as outlined in the Digital Services Act.” [8] . Of course, it is for our own good.
Let us remember that a regime of censorship paved with good intentions, coupled with an authoritarian or even totalitarian capitalist economy, is among the criteria of fascism.
BAM had already revealed what was going on behind the scenes on this subject in a series last summer [9].
By Colin Meier, independent citizen journalist and Germany correspondent for BAM!
[1] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/mex_22_642
[2] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/fighting-covid-19-disinformation-reports-november-and-december-actions
[3] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/roadmaps-implement-code-practice-disinformation: list of signatories
[4] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/code-practice-disinformation
[5] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/mex_22_642
[6] Ibid.
[7] https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/digital-services-act-ensuring-safe-and-accountable-online-environment_en
[8] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/code-practice-disinformation
[9] https://bam.news/articles/?c=2837
Photo source:
https://www.maxpixel.net/Censorship-Woman-Face-Mask-Barbed-Wire-Coronavirus-5641672
