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Federal Judge Denies Biden Administration’s Request to Delay Ban on Communication with Social Media Companies

ByAlki David

Jul 11, 2023

In a recent development, a federal judge in Louisiana has denied a request by the Biden administration to delay an order that bans federal officials from communicating with social media companies. U.S. District Court Judge Terry Doughty imposed the order last week, and his decision to deny the delay was reported by Bloomberg.

The nationwide injunction, which was issued on July 4, prohibits multiple government agencies and administration officials from engaging in any form of communication with social media companies. The purpose of this ban is to prevent the “removal, deletion, suppression, or reduction of content containing protected free speech.”

The Justice Department is expected to seek intervention from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in response to Judge Doughty’s decision. The department argued that the order is broad and lacks clarity in defining the type of communication that is no longer permitted with tech companies. However, the judge stated that the government does not deserve a delay in enforcing his order, as they are likely to lose the case on its merits. Furthermore, the government failed to provide specific examples of government activity that would be hindered during the delay.

Contrary to initial perceptions, Judge Doughty clarified that the injunction is not as extensive as it may seem. It specifically prohibits government officials from contacting social media companies to influence the removal or suppression of content containing protected free speech on social media platforms. The order also includes several exceptions, further limiting its scope.

This ruling comes after Judge Doughty determined last week that the government’s actions in persuading tech companies to combat misinformation and fake accounts, particularly during the pandemic, likely violated the First Amendment. The Biden administration seeks to challenge the judge’s 155-page opinion and has requested a temporary hold on the ban pending the resolution of the case.

The Biden administration’s request for a delay has been met with a setback, as Judge Doughty has denied it. The government’s attempt to challenge the judge’s order reflects the ongoing debate surrounding free speech and the role of social media companies in moderating content. As the legal battle continues, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact the government’s efforts to address misinformation and fake accounts on social media platforms.

In conclusion, U.S. District Court Judge Terry Doughty has denied the Biden administration’s request for a delay in enforcing a ban on communication between federal officials and social media companies. This decision underscores the ongoing legal debate regarding free speech and the responsibilities of tech companies in moderating content. The Justice Department is expected to appeal the ruling to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, while the Biden administration seeks to challenge the judge’s opinion. As the case progresses, the outcome will have significant implications for the future of online discourse and the regulation of social media platforms.

By Alki David

Alki David — Publisher, Media Architect, SIN Network Creator - live, direct-to-public communication, media infrastructure, accountability journalism, and independent distribution. Born in Lagos, Nigeria; educated in the United Kingdom and Switzerland; attended the Royal College of Art. Early internet broadcaster — participated in real-time public coverage during the 1997 Mars landing era using experimental online transmission from Beverly Hills. Founder of FilmOn, one of the earliest global internet television networks offering live and on-demand broadcasting outside legacy gatekeepers. Publisher of SHOCKYA — reporting since 2010 on systemic corruption inside the entertainment business and its expansion into law, finance, and regulation. Creator of the SIN Network (ShockYA Integrated Network), a federated media and civic-information infrastructure spanning investigative journalism, live TV, documentary, and court-record reporting. Lived and worked for over 40 years inside global media hubs including Malibu, Beverly Hills, London, Hong Kong and Gstaad. Early encounter with Julian Assange during the first Hologram USA operations proved a formative turning point — exposing the realities of lawfare, information suppression, and concentrated media power. Principal complainant and driving force behind what court filings describe as the largest consolidated media–legal accountability action on record, now before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Relocated to Antigua & Barbuda and entered sustained legal, civic, and informational confrontation over media power, safeguarding, and accountability at Commonwealth scale.