Ben Shapiro to Congress: Here's Why No One Trusts the Media

Washington, D.C. – In compelling testimony before a Congressional committee, Ben Shapiro, founder of The Daily Wire, took aim at the trust crisis undermining the media industry. He blamed this erosion of trust on biased reporting and institutional obstacles, claiming they were orchestrated by a coalition of Democratic legislators, legacy media, advertisers, and so-called brand safety organizations.

The Trust Crisis in Media

Shapiro emphasized the distrust that many Americans, particularly non-Democrats, have towards the legacy media. He pointed to the handling of President Biden’s health as a recent example, claiming the media portrayed Biden as mentally fit until he exhibited signs of a mental collapse on stage.

“This loss of trust is not surprising,” Shapiro asserted. “The real question is why, despite this loss of trust, legacy media continues to dominate the advertising market.”

Informal Pressure System

Shapiro detailed an “informal pressure system” designed to ensure advertising dollars favor left-leaning media brands. This system involves Democratic legislators, the White House, legacy media, advertisers, and groups like the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM).

“When a conservative competitor to the legacy media arises, the legacy media and their political allies paint such competitors as dangerous,” Shapiro said. He cited an example where Kara Swisher of The New York Times labeled his own videos as a “gateway drug” leading to neo-Nazi content, a ludicrous claim given Shapiro’s Jewish heritage and support for American Jewry and the state of Israel.

Political Influence on Social Media

Shapiro highlighted how political figures have pressured social media companies to censor conservative content. He referenced a 2017 statement by Senator Dianne Feinstein, who warned social media platforms to act against misuse or face government intervention. According to Shapiro, such threats incentivize companies to adopt standards from left-wing groups like GARM, which account for 90% of U.S. ad spending.

“In 2017, after Senator Feinstein’s threats, our YouTube channel saw a 1,000% increase in content endorsements over two years,” Shapiro noted. “Since 2021, my Facebook page has experienced an 80% drop in impressions following increased pressure on social media companies.”

The Role of GARM

Shapiro criticized GARM’s brand safety standards, which extend beyond preventing criminal and dangerous content, including subjective criteria like “hate speech, misinformation, and insensitive treatment” of social issues. He argued that these standards are partisan in practice, pointing to the demonetization of Daily Wire host Matt Walsh on YouTube for “misgendering.” This is also an excellent example of the state enforcing false narratives and punishing all who challenge those narratives.

“Companies targeted by GARM, like The Daily Wire, Breitbart, and Fox News, reach millions with mainstream conservative beliefs. GARM members seek to marginalize these beliefs,” Shapiro contended.

Calls for Congressional Action

Shapiro concluded by calling on Congress to protect the First Amendment. He urged an investigation into the relationships between censorship cartels like GARM and executive branch agencies and called on Congress to stop engaging in coercive campaigns against free speech.

“Members of this committee have participated in sophisticated campaigns against free speech,” Shapiro said, referencing statements by Congressman Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and Congressman Hank Johnson. “The First Amendment was designed to prevent workarounds by elected officials to compel private companies to censor speech.”

Conclusion

Shapiro’s testimony underscored the urgent need to address the media trust crisis and protect free speech principles. As the media landscape evolves, ensuring a fair and unbiased platform for all viewpoints remains a cornerstone of American democracy.