House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has dispatched letters to the chief executives of five corporations, all of which are members of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media's (GARM) Steer Team. The letters request documents and communications as part of the committee’s oversight of antitrust laws. The corporations in question include Diageo, GroupM, Mars Incorporated, The Procter & Gamble Company, and Unilever.
In a press release issued by Jordan, he states that GARM, an initiative by the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), may be in violation of U.S. antitrust laws and congressional intent through its coordination efforts to demonetize and silence content online. According to the committee's evidence, GARM members—led by Steer Team members—appear to have colluded to demonetize conservative platforms and voices. This evidence—communications reviewed by the committee—reveals a connection between these major corporations and these coordinated efforts.
The press release further elaborates on the potential harm this conduct can cause. It highlights revenue lost by content creators when "advertising investment is steered away from" content that GARM disapproves of. Additionally, when such disfavored content is removed, there is less content available on platforms, which impacts the revenues of creators and publishers.
Jordan's letter to Unilever was quoted in the press release: "Unilever's position on GARM's Steer Team places Unilever at the center of many concerning actions coordinated by GARM and its members," it reads. "Evidence obtained by the Committee suggests that GARM members, led by Steer Team members, are colluding to demonetize conservative platforms and voices." It further asserts that this coordination does not always revolve around 'brand safety' and 'harmful' content as publicly claimed by GARM but instead centers around censoring conservative views and other perspectives that GARM members disapprove of. "Communications reviewed by the Committee directly connect Unilever with these efforts," the letter adds.
The letter continues, "Under the Sherman Act, these types of agreements may be illegal, and they require considering the adequacy of current law. The actions are concerning and warrant oversight because the harm that GARM causes to consumers is severe. For example, content creators lose revenue as 'advertising investment is steered away from' content that GARM disfavors. Less content is then available as platforms remove disfavored material, and as creators and publishers lose income."
