Lawmakers Urge New Twitter CEO to Uphold First Amendment Rights

A group of congressmen have sent a letter to new pro-censorship Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal, urging the new CEO to address Twitter’s history of biased censorship and make the platform more pro-free speech.

The Dec. 16 letter was signed by thirteen House Republican Big Tech and Censorship and Data Task Force members including Reps. Madison Cawthorn and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-WA, and Russ Fulcher, R-ID. Agrawal. “We are hopeful that your ascent to the position of CEO will turn a new page at Twitter, which has been marred by acts of censorship,” the letter opened. They cited biased censorship examples such as the Iranian dictator. Ayatollah KhameneiBeing allowed to use Twitter, while ex-President Donald Trump is banned. The lawmakers suggested that past comments of Agrawal’s and repeated abuse of Twitter’s Section 230 immunities have raised concerns. Congressmen then asked Agrawal for clarification on his censorship position and to make Twitter more democratic, neutral platform.

Agrawal said last year that “Twitter should, ‘focus less on thinking about free speech,’” the letter noted. “The free exchange of ideas is one of the most foundational aspects of our Constitutional Republic.” The letter stated that “social media and other internet companies” are “gatekeepers of the digital public square,” meaning that such tech companies must respect the liberties of Americans. “Platforms like Twitter should allow Americans to engage with a diversity of ideas no matter whether or not those viewpoints are shared by Silicon Valley corporate elites.” The letter specifically cited Twitter’s interference in the 2020 election, which the Media Research Center exposed.

Agrawal was asked a number of questions and challenges in the letter, which ended with Agrawal answering them. 

Agrawal already targets Twitter accounts for exposing corruption by leftist elites. Twitter has also instituted a new restrictive policy vaguely banning posts of “personal media” without a person’s express consent, leading many to question how Twitter, which has exhibited demonstrable bias, will implement the policy. Agrawal said last November, “[Twitter’s] role is not to be bound by the First Amendment.” Agrawal also has a history of tweeting left-wing commentary, and pro-free speech media personalities and commentators have warned that he is likely to make censorship on Twitter worse.

Conservatives are being attacked. Your senators must abide by the First Amendment. Tech companies should not deny their users anything less than what is in the First Amendment, as it was interpreted by U.S. Supreme Court. If you have been censored, contact us using CensorTrack’s Use the contact formPlease help us make Big Tech more accountable