Ariz. executive officials’ conduct to be studied
Stacey Barchenger
Arizona Republic
Republican lawmakers in the Arizona House of Representatives have launched a committee to probe concerns of “government censorship” on social media, bringing a national conservative issue to the forefront in the Grand Canyon State.
The Ad Hoc Committee on Oversight, Accountability and Big Tech announced Thursday by House Speaker Ben Toma, R-Glendale, will “examine government censorship and conduct of state executive officials.”
It was announced the same day that a newly launched conservative website alleged Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs tried to “censor” social media posts when she was the secretary of state. The website detailed public records showing about a dozen posts that Hobbs and her staff reported as misinformation.
Hobbs dismissed the claims as “ridiculous” Friday, and a representative for one former Hobbs staffer said the posts were flagged in line with a process set up by various groups, including secretaries of states around the nation.
“Nobody’s trying to censor anyone,” Hobbs said, saying she reported harassment through proper channels just like any other person targeted on social media can do. She also spoke of
a broader struggle between First Amendment rights to free speech and battling rampant misinformation online.
“Free speech does not come without consequences, and that’s what they’re having to deal with right now,” the governor said.
