"US Bars Fact-Checkers, Citing 'Censorship' Concerns"

State Department to Deny Visas to Fact Checkers and Others, Citing 'Censorship' The U.S. 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, according to an internal memo obtained by NPR. The directive, sent on Tuesday, targets applicants for H-1B visas for highly skilled workers, which are frequently used by tech companies, among other sectors. The memo, which was first reported by Reuters, specifically mentions fact-checkers, content moderators, and individuals involved in "censorship" of Americans' speech. The State Department's move has raised concerns among experts and advocates for free speech, who argue that the directive is an attempt to suppress dissenting voices and undermine the work of fact-checkers. The H-1B visa program allows U.S. companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers for specialized positions, including tech, engineering, and other fields. The program has been a subject of controversy in recent years, with some arguing that it displaces American workers and undercuts wages. However, the State Department's new directive appears to be a departure from the program's original intent, which was to attract top talent from around the world to contribute to the U.S. economy. According to a spokesperson for the State Department, the memo is part of a broader effort to "protect American free speech" and prevent the "censorship" of Americans' speech. However, experts argue that the directive is overly broad and could have unintended consequences, such as stifling innovation and creativity in the tech industry. "This is a classic example of the Trump administration's war on facts and truth," said Alex Stamos, a former Facebook chief security officer and a leading expert on disinformation. "By targeting fact-checkers and content moderators, the State Department is essentially saying that the truth is not worth protecting, and that's a very dangerous message." The State Department's memo has also raised concerns among tech companies, which rely heavily on H-1B visas to hire skilled workers. "We are deeply concerned about the impact of this directive on our ability to attract and retain top talent from around the world," said a spokesperson for a major tech company, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "This could have serious consequences for our business and the U.S. economy as a whole." The current status of the directive is unclear, and it is not known how many visa applications have been rejected under the new policy. However, experts warn that the move could have far-reaching consequences for the tech industry and the U.S. economy. As the situation unfolds, advocates for free speech and fact-checkers are calling on the State Department to reconsider its decision and protect the work of individuals who are dedicated to promoting truth and accuracy in the digital age.