The House Judiciary Committee has recently scrutinized advertising practices that may unfairly target conservative media outlets.
Daily Wire reported that the committee, led by Rep. Jim Jordan, is investigating whether Robert Rakowitz and the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) have coordinated to deprive conservative publishers of advertising revenue.
This inquiry follows allegations that GARM, under the guidance of the World Federation of Advertisers, might be using its influence to label mainstream conservative media as promoters of misinformation, thus influencing the flow of advertising dollars away from these outlets.
At the heart of the committee's concerns are the GARM standards, which potentially prevent corporations from supporting certain media outlets. These standards are based on assessments from partisan rating firms that have tagged reputable conservative platforms as unreliable.
The implications are profound, as these actions could contravene U.S. antitrust laws designed to prevent monopolistic and collusive behaviors among businesses.
Documents previously obtained by the committee indicate that GARM has indeed targeted specific media outlets like The Daily Wire, Fox News, and Breitbart by advising major advertisers to withhold funding. This could amount to a targeted demonetization effort based on political views, which raises significant legal and ethical questions.
In his official correspondence, Rep. Jim Jordan expressed that the committee's goal is to fully understand the extent and mechanisms of what he described as potential collusion facilitated by GARM and its associates.
He noted that these actions might not only be inconsistent with antitrust laws but could also counter the intent of Congress to maintain a fair and competitive media landscape.
The request for Rakowitz to appear for a transcribed interview highlights the committee's intent to delve deeper into these practices. They aim to assess whether legislative reforms are necessary to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
GARM was launched as a flagship project at the 2019 Cannes Festival under the umbrella of the World Economic Forum's media-focused initiatives. Its considerable influence is reflected in its membership, which includes 61 major companies and 35 industry associations representing a significant portion of global advertising buyers.
This extensive network underscores the potential impact of GARM's policies on global media funding and information dissemination.
However, GARM has maintained a stance of providing 'Brand Safety' by advising companies on where to place ads to avoid reputational risks or potential boycotts. Their policy ostensibly aims to safeguard brands but has stirred controversy regarding its impact on media diversity and freedom of speech.
The committee's inquiry into Robert Rakowitz and the Global Alliance for Responsible Media highlights a complex interplay of advertising standards, media funding, and antitrust laws. The outcome could significantly change how media outlets are financially supported and how advertising standards are set and implemented.
