'Crushed': Rep. Buck's new work focuses…
First COVID-19 case in Washington County
'Crushed': Rep. Buck's new work focuses on Big Tech threat to America
Doubles down on importance of JCPA for media companies
Brian Porter/The Fort Morgan Times
U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, R-Windsor, has pledged to file legislation to oppose the Department of Education's new proposed Title IX rule change.
By Brian Porter | bporter@fortmorgantimes.com | The Fort Morgan Times
PUBLISHED: January 17, 2023 at 3:46 p.m. | UPDATED: January 30, 2023 at 8:50 a.m.
American business magnate John D. Rockefeller and Standard Oil allegedly used its size and considerable influence in the late 1800s to monopolize the marketplace, creating an anti-competitive atmosphere in the petroleum industry.
It is not completely unlike monopolies created today by a few giant companies categorized as "Big Tech", U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, R-Windsor, says in the release of a new book he has written called "Crushed: Big Tech's War on Free Speech".
"It is really important we expose the danger to America in having a few Big Tech monopolies control the flow of information," Buck said. "[They] influence how we vote, the results of elections. They are not using monopolies to cheat in the marketplace, but in the marketplace of ideas."
The U.S. Supreme Court's remedy for Standard Oil was to divide the company into several geographic firms, restoring competition in the petroleum industry.
Buck does not favor a breakup of Big Tech – companies like Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google – but rather to create competitive opportunities for others within the realm of the industry. He was the ranking Republican member of the House's Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law Subcommittee in the 117th Congress, and could potentially chair the committee during the 118th Congress in a Republican-controlled House.
"It's better to look at creating competition, rather than a breakup," he said. "It makes more sense to have five Googles or seven Facebooks than to break apart Facebook. I hope we can get legislation to encourage competition."
In the 117th Congress, Buck was an original co-signer of U.S. House legislation by Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., that would have allowed for media companies to collectively negotiate with online content distributors, known as Big Tech, regarding terms by which the news companies' content is distributed by those online content distributors.
House Resolution 1735, called the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act of 2021, and companion legislation in the Senate, ultimately was removed from the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act in the final days of the 117th Congress.
"It would have allowed small newspapers, radio and TV stations to come together and negotiate to get a fair rate for their product," Buck said. "They produce content and Google, Facebook take it and offer nothing in return. They sell advertising with what they got for free. It is damaging small, rural news organizations."
Buck has previously referenced media organizations such as the Greeley Tribune and The Fort Morgan Times as those who have been harmed by the practice.
"This is similar to the 1800s and early 1900s," Buck said. "We have seen a tech revolution, and need to update the laws."
He defines that news operations, like in Fort Morgan and Greeley, and throughout America, have a strong tie to the community, a community which thrives around "news of the high school football game, a parade and those stories not covered by The New York Times, but by great hard-working journalists."
The Founding Fathers could not anticipate "immense power" which could be "wielded over the people," and used to "suffocate business and political life", a forward to his book by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, reads, citing actions by Big Tech which stymie guaranteed freedoms.
"I have spent the last 3-1/2 years working on this tech issue," Buck said. "When I talk about antitrust, people's eyes glaze over. I felt it was important to share real-life stories so people could see how monopolies act."
He has looked with interest upon changes which have transpired at Twitter, following the purchase of the company by Elon Musk and subsequent data dumps.
"It is further confirmation of what I wrote about," Buck said. "There's discrimination. These monopolies need to be addressed. When someone knows what you talk about, who you email, where you drive, it's a little creepy for Americans. Elon Musk is a genius and will turn lemons into lemonade."
Apple, Amazon and Google joined Microsoft to make up 16% of the S&P 500 during trading Tuesday. Apple has a value of $2.16 trillion, based upon market cap, a measure of total shares issued and the stock price of those shares. The value of Amazon is $979.9 billion, Google has a value of $1.18 trillion and Facebook has a value of $354.9 billion.
Buck previously authored "Rotten to the Core: How Washington Corruption is Worse than You Think" and "Capitol of Freedom: Restoring American Greatness". Buck's new book is available in bookstores, "hopefully libraries" and alternatively through online sources, although Buck declined to identify those sources which may include Big Tech monopolies.
Former U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, left, and U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, center, talk with a Washington County resident during a meet and greet campaign event. (File Photo Brian Porter/The Fort Morgan Times)
Brian Porter | Publisher
Brian Porter has 23 years experience in newspapering. He has published The Fort Morgan Times since 2017 and the Brush News-Tribune since 2016. At Brush, he conceptually created the Brush Beet Express. Porter was prevously the general manager of newspapers based in Texas. In his free time, Porter enjoys carpentry, hunting and fishing with his Labradors named Bonnie & Clyde.
bporter@fortmorgantimes.com
Seth Curry not planning on ankle surgery; Ben Simmons still 'the mystery guy'
Viaero Wireless announces upgrade to network equipment
Sheriff's Report
U.S. Rep. Buck announces art competition
Business group calling for suspension of state's gas tax
COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment available in northeast Colorado
Planes collide over Boulder County east of Niwot; three dead
First COVID-19 case found in Washington County; 8 total in region
With Daylight Saving Time upon us, Red Cross urges you to 'turn and test'
2022 Trick-or-Treating draws large crowds
This is the most valuable airline reward program
Weather or not: How to book better shoulder season travel
Shining bright? Submit your home to our interactive holiday lights map
MNG Network Advertising
Prairie Mountain Media
MyTown Colorado
Fort Morgan Times
Sterling Journal-Advocate
Brush News-Tribune
Julesburg Advocate
South Platte Sentinel
Greeley Tribune