Ted Cruz and Ron Wyden try to fight censorship with bipartisan JAWBONE Act

US Senators Ted Cruz and Ron Wyden introduced the JAWBONE Act on April 10, 2024, a bipartisan bill designed to combat government censorship of speech on broadcast and digital platforms. The Justice Against Weaponized Bureaucratic Overreach to Networked Expression Act, or JAWBONE Act, aims to prohibit federal agencies and employees from coercing or attempting to coerce broadcasters, online service providers, and AI service providers into altering their content. This legislation could address instances such as Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr's past efforts to influence TV networks and broadcasters, as well as government pressure exerted on social media companies and AI chatbot developers. The bill establishes a private right of action, allowing individuals whose speech has been suppressed to file lawsuits and seek compensatory damages against government officials responsible for such coercion. Furthermore, the JAWBONE Act permits state attorneys general to initiate civil actions to enforce its provisions. The proposed law seeks to protect free expression by providing legal recourse against what proponents describe as "jawboning" by federal entities.