In a recent revelation, it has come to light that White House officials exerted pressure on Amazon in 2021 to restrict access to books on its platform that questioned the safety and efficacy of vaccines. E-mails released by House Judiciary Committee Chairman, U.S. Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, shed light on the campaign led by President Biden's Senior Advisor for COVID-19 Response, Andrew Slavitt, to curb the spread of “propaganda and misinformation.”
The e-mails show that Slavitt reached out to Amazon in March 2021, expressing concern about the high levels of propaganda and misinformation present on the platform regarding vaccines. Initially, Amazon officials were hesitant to manually intervene and remove certain book titles from search results, fearing backlash and negative publicity. However, following a meeting between Amazon officials and the White House, the company implemented a “do not promote” policy for books deemed to be “anti-vax” and promoting vaccine skepticism.
One of the books flagged by White House officials during this campaign was “Anyone Who Tells You Vaccines Are Safe and Effective Is Lying” by Dr. Vernon Cole. The author is known for his critical stance on conventional Western medicine and has authored numerous books that question its practices.
The e-mails also reveal that one of the factors influencing Amazon's decision to comply with the White House's request was the fear of negative media coverage by BuzzFeed News. An internal e-mail mentioned that Amazon anticipated a negative story from BuzzFeed focusing on COVID-19 related books on its platform. Shortly after the White House meeting, BuzzFeed published an article critical of Amazon's book-selling practices under the headline, “Amazon Is Pushing Readers Down ‘A Rabbit Hole' of Conspiracies about The Coronavirus.”
This revelation has raised concerns about the Biden administration's stance on free speech and censorship. Many argue that the government's involvement in pressuring private companies to restrict access to certain information infringes upon the principles of free speech and open discourse.
It is worth noting that while the CDC continues to encourage COVID-19 vaccination, it acknowledges that the vaccines do not prevent infection or transmission of the virus. Recent studies have also highlighted potential complications, such as myocarditis, especially among adolescents and young men. The information about these risks, which would have been considered “misinformation” during the campaign to censor vaccine-related books, is now widely recognized.
This incident involving Amazon is not an isolated case. Court documents have revealed that White House officials, including Andrew Slavitt, have urged social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to remove content they oppose and ban the users responsible for publishing such content. The Biden administration is currently facing a lawsuit filed by attorneys general in Missouri and Louisiana, alleging that it pressured multiple social media companies to suppress freedom of speech related to the pandemic.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in March regarding this matter, as it is crucial to determine the boundaries of free speech and government intervention in censoring information. The outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications for the future of free speech and the ability of individuals to express their opinions and concerns openly.
In conclusion, the revelation that White House officials pressured Amazon to censor books questioning vaccine safety and efficacy raises serious concerns about the government's involvement in restricting access to information. The incident highlights the need for a robust dialogue on free speech and the role of private companies in shaping public discourse. As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved and what impact it will have on the future of open expression and informed decision-making.
