DEVELOPING: State Department Blocks Visas for Fact-Checkers, Citing Censorship Concerns

Breaking News: State Department Blocks Visas for Fact-Checkers, Citing Censorship Concerns The US State Department has instructed its staff to reject visa applications from individuals who worked on fact-checking, content moderation, or other activities deemed "censorship" of Americans' speech. The directive, sent in an internal memo on Tuesday, targets applicants for H-1B visas for highly skilled workers. According to the memo, visa applicants who were responsible for or complicit in censorship or attempted censorship of protected expression in the US will be deemed ineligible for a visa. This move is seen as a significant development, with potential far-reaching implications for the tech industry and beyond. The policy was announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in May, and the memo is the latest step in implementing this policy. The directive is focused on H-1B visas, which are frequently used by tech companies and other sectors. The State Department's move has sparked concerns about the impact on free speech and the role of fact-checkers in society. The current status of visa applications is unclear, and it remains to be seen how this policy will be enforced. This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.