Content Creators Coalition Calls For Congressional Investigation Into Google’s Distorting Public Policy Debates

Artist Rights Alliance
2 min readAug 30, 2017

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The Content Creators Coalition (c3) released the following statement reacting to the bombshell New York Times report of Google-forced censorship at New America Foundation:

“Google’s efforts to monopolize civil society in support of the company’s balance-sheet-driven agenda is as dangerous as it is wrong.

“For years, we have watched as Google used its monopoly powers to hurt artists and music creators while profiting off stolen content. For years, we have warned about Google’s actions that stifle the views of anyone who disagrees with its business practices, while claiming to champion free speech.

“Barry Lynn’s Open Markets initiative bravely raised important questions about the growing power Google has in our society. The Open Markets team raised important questions about Google’s dominance and provided a respected forum for others, including c3 Advisory Board Member Jonathan Taplin, to share their research on these issues.

“Sadly, New America Foundation’s ending the Open Markets initiative to please Google creates doubts about its credibility. It calls into question the many Google-funded organizations, which the company hides behind as they fight against artists’ efforts to close the loopholes in Section 512 of the DMCA and block other commonsense reforms aimed at restoring balance in the marketplace.

“And as Justice Louis Brandeis said, ‘Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.’ The American public deserve to know the depths of Google’s efforts to secretly distort policy debates, which is why Congress should open investigations into this matter and the anti-trust subcommittees need to schedule hearings to demand answers.”

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Artist Rights Alliance

Artist-run, non-profit advocating for musicians, performers, & songwriters in the digital landscape. (Formerly the Content Creators Coalition or “c3”)