Waukesha Times

Wisconsin State Representative Scott Fitzgerald stated he discussed with Ben Shapiro the "apparent collusion within GARM against conservative media" and believes it harms consumers by "eliminating content and viewpoints" available. Fitzgerald made his statement in a July 10 post on X.

"I had a chance to speak with @benshapiro today about the apparent collusion within GARM against conservative media outlets," said U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wi). "Ultimately, this behavior hurts consumers by eliminating content and viewpoints that would otherwise be available to them."

According to a House Judiciary Committee investigation, political bias has been revealed within the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), alleging that its leadership manipulated online content by limiting advertising for certain viewpoints. The report claims GARM may have violated federal antitrust laws by suppressing specific voices and viewpoints, thus limiting consumer choice. Internal communications show GARM leaders and members strategizing to exclude news outlets with differing perspectives and applying pressure on platforms like Twitter and Spotify, according to the report by the House Judiciary Committee.

Rep. Fitzgerald's post | x

GARM, initiated by the World Federation of Advertisers, aims to tackle harmful content on digital media and its monetization through advertising. Launched in 2019 at Cannes, GARM works to ensure advertisers can confidently use social media platforms. As of November 2019, it operates as a key project under the World Economic Forum's Platform for Shaping the Future of Media, Entertainment, and Culture, according to GARM's About webpage.

Fitzgerald serves Wisconsin’s Fifth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, succeeding his tenure in the Wisconsin State Senate from 1995 to 2021, where he held leadership roles such as Majority Leader and Minority Leader. He completed his education at Hustisford High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Fitzgerald has a military background, having served in the US Army Reserve for 27 years, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retiring, according to House.gov.