A United States federal judge, Terry Doughty has blocked officials of president Joe Biden’s administration from contacting with social media companies aimed at moderating their content.

In a court ruling on Tuesday, Doughty barred White House officials and some government agencies from contacting firms over “content containing protected free speech”.

Wakadaily gathered that the verdict was a victory for Republicans who have accused officials of censorship, as Democrats said the platforms have failed to address misinformation.

The case was one of the most closely-watched First Amendment battles in the US courts, raising a debate over the government’s role in moderating content which it deemed to be false or harmful.

The White House said in a statement said: “Our consistent view remains that social media platforms have a critical responsibility to take account of the effects their platforms are having on the American people.

It added that platforms should “make independent choices about the information they present”.

Doughty issued the injunction in response to a lawsuit brought by Republican attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri. They allege US officials had mounted pressure on social media platforms to address posts on topics including Covid-19 policies and election security.

A federal judge appointed by former President Donald Trump, Doughty had previously issued a ruling in January 2022 to block COVID-19 vaccination requirements for school teachers. He said, the plaintiffs had “presented substantial evidence in support of their claims”.

He said in his ruling “Evidence produced thus far depicts an almost dystopian scenario.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, a period perhaps best characterised by widespread doubt and uncertainty, the United States Government seems to have assumed a role similar to an Orwellian ‘Ministry of Truth.”

The ruling limited communications by government agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services and the FBI.