House Judiciary Committee Probes Over 130 Companies for Alleged GARM Ad Cartel Involvement

Aug 6, 2024, 03:13 PM

The House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan, is demanding explanations from over 130 companies regarding their involvement with the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) system. GARM, a project initiated by the World Economic Forum, has been accused of forming a 'collusive' ad cartel that censors and blacklists certain media outlets and individuals. The committee's investigation focuses on potential violations of free speech and anti-competitive practices. Former State Department official Mike Benz has highlighted the role of the US Defense Department in funding ad agencies that allegedly censor independent news sites. The World Federation of Advertisers, however, denies these claims, stating that GARM does not engage in or advocate for boycotts.