The Free Flow — March 13, 2025
FCC probes YouTube TV for religious discrimination, Albania bans TikTok, Facebook’s China censorship tools exposed, Nepal debates strict social media bill, and more.
The Digital Age
» FCC Investigates YouTube TV for Alleged Discrimination Against Faith-Based Program
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr sent a letter to Google executives to address concerns that YouTube TV may be discriminating against faith-based content by refusing to carry certain religious channels.
The letter:
Carr cites Section 616 of the Communications Act, which prohibits multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) from engaging in discriminatory carriage agreements.
He argues that protections for independent programmers on cable and satellite TV should extend to virtual MVPDs like YouTube TV, warning of an “unprecedented surge” in viewpoint suppression.
Carr’s inquiry follows a complaint from Great American Media, the owner of faith-based cable networks.
While YouTube TV has no stated policy against religious programming, Carr’s letter signals a desire to investigate whether YouTube’s carriage agreements amount to discriminatory standards.
Carr’s move has been criticized as blatantly political and exceeding the authority of the FCC, noting that streaming services are not regulated like traditional broadcasters and have editorial discretion.
» Albania Enforces One-Year TikTok Ban Amid Safety Concerns
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s one-year ban on TikTok will take effect on March 13, citing concerns over the platform’s role in promoting violence and bullying among children.
The Electronic and Postal Communications Authority ordered all internet service providers to block access to TikTok within 24 hours.
Albania joins a growing list of countries restricting TikTok over content moderation and security concerns.
» Whistleblower Alleges Facebook Developed Censorship Tools to Enter Chinese Market
Former Facebook employee Sarah Wynn-Williams claims the company developed censorship tools to gain access to China, where it remains blocked by the government’s “Great Firewall.”
Wynn-Williams alleges that Facebook created software allowing a third party—likely a Chinese partner—to suppress specific posts in certain geographic regions.
The claims raise concerns about tech companies’ willingness to comply with authoritarian censorship laws to access restrictive markets, potentially setting a precedent for broader government control over online speech.
» Rights Experts Advise Nepal on Social Media Bill
UNESCO and Nepal’s Federal Parliament Secretariat organized a discussion with human rights experts, including Senior Legal Fellow Joan Barata, on the proposed Social Media Bill 2081.
Background:
The “Social Media Regulation Bill” would require digital platforms to obtain a license every two years and impose broad speech restrictions, banning content with undefined “malicious intent” while mandating user identity disclosure and data sharing with the government.
Enforcement falls to a “Rapid Response Team” instead of courts or independent regulators, with violations punishable by fines and imprisonment.
The discussion aimed to align the bill with international human rights standards, particularly addressing concerns about freedom of expression.
Experts have praised Parliament’s openness to collaborating with a multistakeholder community to improve digital platform governance, though concerns about overreach and censorship remain.
The Brussels Effect
» EU Allocates €4.4 Million to Combat Online Hate Speech
The European Commission has issued a major tender to combat illegal hate speech, particularly online, by creating a centralized database to track and categorize instances of hate speech, including anti-Semitism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, homophobia, and misogyny.
The Commission will fund and select civil society organizations to identify and report cases, alongside organizing training sessions and events in cities like Brussels, Dublin, Paris, Rome, and Budapest.
As Senior Research Fellow Natalie Alkiviadou points out in a recent post at The Bedrock Principle, the move raises concerns about the role of "monitoring reporters" and "trusted flaggers" under the Digital Services Act.
Specifically, there has been an absence of free speech organizations among the not-for-profit groups that have served in these roles in the past.
This could mean that decisions about content removal may disproportionately prioritize offense avoidance over legitimate discourse, including satire and political critique.
This initiative is part of broader efforts under Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s "democracy shield" program, aimed at countering online misinformation, particularly in the context of elections.
» Women’s Health Startups Accuse Big Tech of Bias
Six women’s health startups have filed formal complaints with the European Commission, accusing major online platforms—including Meta, Google, Amazon, and LinkedIn—of systemic bias in content moderation.
Led by the advocacy campaign CensHERship and investment group The Case for Her, the complaints cite the Digital Services Act to challenge alleged discrimination against women’s health content.
The startups argue that platforms disproportionately restrict, shadowban, and remove posts on topics such as endometriosis, vaginal health, libido supplements, and breastfeeding support.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about algorithmic bias in content moderation, raising questions about whether platforms apply their policies fairly across different health-related topics.
» EU Releases Third Draft of General Purpose AI Code of Practice
The European Commission has published the third draft of its GPAI Code of Practice, a framework to help AI model providers comply with the AI Act.
Background:
The AI Act is a landmark regulation designed to set safety, transparency, and accountability standards for AI systems operating in the EU.
It includes strict requirements for “high-risk” applications.
This draft introduces commitments on transparency and copyright, along with safety and security measures.
Stakeholders can submit feedback until March 20, and the final Code is expected in May.
Protest Watch
ICE Arrests Foreign Student Under Trump’s Executive Order on Pro-Hamas Activities: In an official White House post on X, President Trump celebrated the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Khalil, a Columbia University student and legal permanent U.S. resident, was detained for “leading activities aligned with Hamas”.
The administration has justified this on the Secretary of State’s powers to deport permanent residents deemed “adversarial to the foreign policy and national security interests of the United States of America.”
The government has not provided evidence of inciting violence or materially supporting Hamas, only that Khalil has led speeches and protests.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said the arrest was “in support” of the Presidential Executive Order to Combat Anti-Semitism, but Trump has indicated a broader enforcement effort is to follow, stating that this arrest is the first of many to come.
U.S. State Department Employs AI to Revoke Student Visas Over Alleged Hamas Support: The U.S. State Department’s AI program, “Catch and Revoke,” scans social media accounts and news reports of student visa holders to identify expressions of support for Hamas, leading to at least one visa .revocation. The program raises concerns about privacy violations, due process, and the potential for overreach in determining support.
Germany Urges Intelligence Services to Surveil Universities Over Pro-Palestinian Leanings: Germany’s Anti-Semitism Commissioner has called for intelligence services to monitor universities for pro-Palestinian activities, stating that “the state must not accept this radicalism.” The move aims to counter what the government sees as growing extremism on campuses.
Court of Appeal Reduces Sentence for Just Stop Oil Co-Founder: The UK Court of Appeal has reduced the five-year prison sentence of Roger Hallam, co-founder of climate protest group Just Stop Oil. Hallam was convicted for organizing protests that disrupted major transportation routes in London. However, the court upheld the original sentences for ten other activists despite their appeals.
Azerbaijani Opposition Activist Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison: On March 10, the Baku Serious Crimes Court sentenced prominent opposition figure Tofig Yagublu, a member of the National Council of Democratic Forces and Musavat Party, to nine years in prison for “fraud” and “document forgery.” The sentence is part of a broader crackdown on political opposition and independent media in Azerbaijan, with critics condemning the verdict as a “sham trial.”
Kazakhstani Satirical Blogger Arrested for Alleged ‘Incitement’: Satirist Temirlan Ensebek was arrested and charged under Article 174 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code for allegedly “inciting interethnic discord” through a post on his satirical Instagram account. Civil society organizations argue that satire is a legitimate form of protected speech under international human rights law, and they view Ensebek’s prosecution as an attempt to silence activism and criticism of the government.
Manitoba Introduces Anti-SLAPP Legislation: The Manitoba government has introduced the Public Interest Expression Defence Act to shield individuals from SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) lawsuits. This legislative move reflects a growing effort to protect public participation and free expression in Canada, where only Ontario and Quebec previously had explicit anti-SLAPP laws.
Press Freedom
Georgian Parliament Advances Repressive Legislation: On March 3rd, Georgia’s parliament moved forward with a series of repressive bills, including amendments to the Broadcasting Law. The changes tighten media regulations by transferring regulatory power from broadcasters to the government’s Communications Commission. The amendments also distinguish between fact and commentary in news programs, restrict personal opinions on public policy issues, and impose limits on foreign funding for broadcasters.
Belgian Author Acquitted Over Antisemitic Column: Belgian author Herman Brusselmans was acquitted of charges including Holocaust denial and incitement to hatred after publishing a column in Humo magazine with violent and derogatory remarks about Jews and Benjamin Netanyahu. Brusselmans claimed his statements were exaggerated frustrations, relying on irony and sarcasm. The judge ruled that while offensive, such speech is legally permissible, sparking condemnation from Jewish organizations.
Charges Dropped Against Stanford Student Journalist Covering Protest: Dilan Gohill, a reporter for The Stanford Daily, was arrested while covering a pro-Palestinian protest at Stanford University, despite wearing press credentials. Gohill, who followed students barricading themselves inside the University President’s office, faced potential felony charges, including burglary and vandalism. On March 6, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office announced it would not pursue charges, despite Stanford officials’ support for criminal prosecution against Gohill.
Milei Restricts Press at State of the Nation Speech: Argentine President Javier Milei barred national and international photographers from the chamber during his primetime address to Congress, centralizing image control under the Executive Branch. The government has also relegated journalists to a smaller, less prominent space. Press groups warn this move fits a pattern of hostility toward the media, with Milei frequently attacking journalists and restricting access to official events.
Romania Bars Presidential Frontrunner from Election Rerun: After Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the initial presidential election results due to allegations of Russian interference and electoral irregularities, far-right, pro-Russian candidate Cǎlin Georgescu has been barred from participating in the upcoming election rerun. The decision has sparked protests in Bucharest, with international figures, including J.D. Vance and Elon Musk, condemning the ban as undemocratic.
Italy Cancels Broadcast of Russian Propagandist Vladimir Solovyov: Italy's state broadcaster canceled a scheduled interview with Vladimir Solovyov, a Russian TV host known for his pro-Kremlin views, due to concerns over spreading Russian propaganda.
CBS Seeks Dismissal of Trump's $20 Billion Lawsuit Over '60 Minutes' Interview: On March 6, 2025, CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, has filed motions to dismiss former President Donald Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit, which claims that a "60 Minutes" interview with Vice President Kamala Harris was deceptively edited to favor her during the 2024 presidential election, continuing a broader pattern of legal actions by Trump against media outlets that fuel debates over media bias and accountability.
Third Steering Committee Meeting Reaffirms Media Freedom and Journalist Protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina: The third Steering Committee meeting of the EU and Council of Europe's “Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media in Bosnia and Herzegovina” (PRO-FREX) initiative in Sarajevo focused on strengthening media freedom and journalist protection, discussing efforts to counter SLAPPs, advance media reforms, and reinforce journalist safety.
Resurgence of Rebel Group in Eastern Dominican Republic of Congo Threatens Journalists: After rebel group M23 captured Goma in January and Bukavu in February, intensifying conflict has led to the targeting of human rights defenders and journalists. M23 has imposed restrictions on free speech, movement, and association in occupied areas and journalists endure intimidation and death threats. The DRC has enacted censorship measures, suspending or threatening media outlets reporting on the M23 conflict, and access to X and TikTok has been restricted.
Quick Hits
Trump Executive Order Targets Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Education to redefine “public service” under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, potentially excluding organizations whose activities conflict with the administration’s policies, a move that critics warn could deny loan forgiveness based on employers’ perceived political stances, particularly affecting workers in immigration and protest-related fields.
National Cancer Institute Imposes Special Approval for Research on Sensitive Topics: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has implemented internal guidelines requiring special approval for communications—such as manuscripts and presentations—on 23 “controversial, high-profile, or sensitive” topics, including vaccines, fluoride, autism, and peanut allergies.
French University Offers Haven to U.S. Scientists Facing Potential Censorship: Aix-Marseille University has launched the “Safe Place for Science” initiative to support American scientists who are concerned about potential censorship and funding cuts following recent policy changes in the U.S.
Senator Ron Wyden Defends Section 230 Amid Ongoing Debates: Senator Ron Wyden, co-author of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, reaffirmed its crucial role in protecting free speech online as debates intensify over potential reforms. The law shields online platforms from liability for user-generated content, enabling diverse viewpoints without legal consequences.
America First Legal Challenges Utah State Senator’s Alleged Social Media Censorship: On March 7, America First Legal (AFL) issued a cease and desist letter to Utah State Senator Daniel McCay, accusing him of violating a constituent’s First Amendment rights by blocking them from his social media account after they commented on his post supporting Senate Bill 31. McCay argues that the account is a campaign page, giving him discretion over its content, but AFL asserts that McCay’s account operates as an official government platform.
No Charges Filed in UK Quran-Burning Case: Authorities in the UK dropped charges against Dheyaa, a Christian asylum seeker, after his arrest for posting a video of himself burning a Quran to protest Islamic extremism.
French MEP Rima Hassan Faces Attacks Over Pro-Palestinian Stance: Rima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament representing France Unbowed, has faced calls for her French citizenship to be revoked from figures within President Emmanuel Macron’s liberal faction and the ruling right-wing François Bayrou government. The attacks follow Hassan’s condemnation of Israel’s occupation of Palestine and the denial of entry for both Hassan and Irish MEP Lynn Boylan into Israel in late February.
Georgia Advances Foreign Agent Law: Georgia’s ruling party has approved a new foreign agent law in its first reading, claiming it mirrors the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The law would replace a controversial 2024 measure and impose stricter penalties, including prison time, on noncompliant organizations. Amendments also target media funding, treason definitions, and gender references in legislation, raising concerns over free speech and civil society restrictions.
Charges Dropped Against Black Woman for N-Word Tweet: Jamila Abdi, a 21-year-old, faced charges in the UK under the Communications Act for sending a “grossly offensive” tweet using the N-word in reference to Black footballer Alexander Isak during a discussion about a match on X. However, Abdi's legal team argued that her use of the term, rooted in African American Vernacular English and common in Black communities, was not intended to offend. The charges have since been dropped.
Indonesian Trans Woman Sentenced for ‘Insulting’ Jesus: On March 10, an Indonesian court sentenced transgender woman Ratu Thalisa to two years and ten months in prison for spreading hate speech against Christianity. The charges stemmed from a response Thalisa gave to a viewer’s comment on a livestream in October, where she held a picture of Jesus Christ and made remarks deemed offensive.
Telemedicine Abortion Advocates Argue Restrictions Infringe on Access to Information: Following SCOTUS’ 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade, an increase in the online distribution of abortion medications has occurred in North Carolina. State law mandates abortion-inducing drugs be prescribed and dispensed in-person, but advocates for telemedicine abortions contend restrictions limit the dissemination of information regarding legal medical procedures.
Greek Lawmaker Vandalizes Artworks in National Gallery: Nikolaos Papadopoulos, a member of Greece’s right-wing Niki party, vandalized four paintings at the National Gallery in Athens on March 10, targeting artworks that caricatured religious icons and themes.
Dutch Foreign Minister Warns of Russian Disinformation in Armenia, Offers Cybersecurity Aid: During a March 12 visit to Yerevan, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp warned that Armenia could face Russian disinformation targeting its parliamentary elections and pledged support for strengthening the country’s cybersecurity and information security efforts.
Escalating Violence Against Dissenters in Mozambique: Post-election unrest in Mozambique has intensified, with attacks on opposition figures and police firing on demonstrators during a March 5 protest led by opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, injuring at least ten people.