A significant financial contribution from the Open Society Foundations is fueling efforts to reshape the online media landscape, raising concerns about the suppression of conservative voices. Last year, a quarter of a million dollars flowed to an organization dedicated to influencing how social media platforms handle content deemed objectionable.
The recipient, the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a British nonprofit established in 2018 by a former Labour Party operative, actively pressures tech companies, advertisers, and investors. Their goal: to limit the reach of content they label as “hate” or “disinformation.”
This pressure has translated into direct targeting of conservative news outlets. The Federalist and The Daily Wire have both found themselves in the CCDH’s crosshairs, facing calls for their content to be restricted or removed based on accusations of racism.
Past actions reveal a pattern of aggressive tactics. In 2020, the CCDH urged Google to demonetize The Federalist and Zero Hedge, citing comments about George Floyd as justification. The Daily Wire faced similar pressure in early 2023.
Beyond individual outlets, the CCDH reportedly launched a coordinated campaign to destabilize X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, following Elon Musk’s acquisition. Internal memos revealed a strategy to pressure advertisers into abandoning the platform, effectively “killing” it financially.
This campaign wasn’t conducted in isolation. The CCDH engaged directly with lawmakers, holding meetings with sixteen congressional offices and Senator Amy Klobuchar during Musk’s legal battles. They also advocated for the creation of a new government regulatory body overseeing digital content.
The escalating conflict culminated in a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk against the CCDH in July 2023. The suit challenged a CCDH report alleging a surge in hate speech on X following the platform’s change in ownership.
Congressional scrutiny is also intensifying. Representative Jim Jordan issued a subpoena to the CCDH in 2023, demanding a list of its donors as part of an investigation into potential collusion to censor online speech.
While the CCDH maintains donor confidentiality, investigations have uncovered substantial contributions from other sources. The Skoll Fund and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation provided significant funding in 2023, totaling over $800,000.
The CCDH reported over $2.1 million in revenue for that year, highlighting the scale of its operations and influence. The financial backing and aggressive tactics employed by the organization are now drawing attention at the highest levels of government.
The Trump administration is reportedly considering action related to the CCDH and the broader network of organizations funded by the Open Society Foundations. Former President Trump has publicly called for investigations into the funding activities of George Soros and his son, alleging their involvement in supporting disruptive protests.
