G.O.P. targets researchers who study disinformation ahead of 2024 election

U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), has accused organizations that research disinformation of censoring conservative speech online. (New York Times Photo)

New York Times
On Capitol Hill and in the courts, Republican lawmakers and activists are mounting a sweeping legal campaign against universities, think tanks and private companies that study the spread of disinformation, accusing them of colluding with the government to suppress conservative speech online.

The effort has encumbered its targets with expansive requests for information and, in some cases, subpoenas — demanding notes, emails and other information related to social media companies and the government dating back to 2015. Complying has consumed time and resources and already affected the groups’ ability to do research and raise money, according to several people involved. MORE