House Judiciary requests evidence from over 40 advertisers accused of 'collusive' activities

The House Judiciary Committee has sent letters to over 40 American and foreign companies asking for documents related to what it claims are "collusive" activities as part of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM). 

"Through its oversight, the Committee has learned that collusive activity is occurring within the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), of which your company is a member. In particular, the Committee has uncovered evidence of coordinated action by GARM and its member companies, including boycotts of disfavored social media platforms, podcasts, and news outlets," committee Chairman Jim Jordan wrote in the letters. 

After an investigation, the committee claimed it found that GARM, created by Brussels-based World Federation of Advertisers, participated in "boycotts and coordinated action to demonetize platforms, podcasts, news outlets, and other content that GARM and its members deem disfavored," particularly conservative content, Just the News previously reported. 

The Judiciary Committee Republicans believe the alliance, which includes U.S.-based companies like HP Incorporated, McDonalds, General Motors, Johnson and Johnson, and American Express, may have violated American anti-trust laws by their coordination.