It’s no shock to those who are paying attention that leftist social media sites like Twitter and Facebook are censoring posts and comments. Unfortunately, this censorship focuses heavily on user-generated content that does not coincide with the established narrative. But if conservative lawmakers have their way, that may all be about to change.
You have probably heard the term “Section 230” batted around by political pundits on news shows. Still, few take the time to describe it in detail or how it can have such a significant effect on the behavior of companies that control social media apps and websites. A video from Learn Liberty takes a deep dive to uncover the history behind Section 230 and its possible future.
Section 230 is part of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 and states, in part, that “No provider or user of an interactive computer shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.” This allows an online platform to host user-created content on their service without being considered the content’s legal owner or publisher. Since the online service provider is not deemed the owner or publisher of any user’s content, the online company will not be held libelous in most claims stemming from that content. This protection has given entrepreneurs the confidence to create various online businesses that rely heavily on user-created content.
But if Section 230 has helped create businesses, why is there such a push to repeal Section 230?
Jennifer Huddleston, the Director of Technology and Innovation Policy at the American Action Forum, points out that Section 230 is also the part of the act that allows online platforms to moderate user-created content by deciding what to delete and what is allowed to remain. For many people, it is this part of Section 230 that is so troubling.
The conservative argument against Section 230 is that some online service providers are taking advantage of it by censoring any content posted by a user that is favorable to conservatives or critical of progressives. Of course, there are many examples of this taking place, but it is important to note that Section 230 does not take sides when it comes to politics. There is nothing inherently supportive of the left within the act. The liberals are not too fond of Section 230 either. But instead of pointing out biased censorship, they believe that the section doesn’t go far enough to prevent so-called harmful or misleading online content.
At the end of the day, one of the most fundamental and beloved freedoms in the U.S. is the right to speak freely. Any concrete attempt to bypass this freedom needs addressing immediately.
Take a deep dive into Section 230 below:
This rule should be ended. All should be treated equally for everyone. Nothing should be biased or one sided or favoritism
The rule is fine, it’s the offending websites that need to be clearly labeled as dishonest…
And just how do you propose to do that? I have had many emails that I wanted to forward blocked by Yahoo, Facebook and Twitter only because it was a news item that did not favor the liberals. Where is freedom of speech?
That’s what they are doing now , and who are they to judge what is honest or not, not the providers.
The part that allows for them to censor certain people’s comments should be removed. What I have to say is my opinion whether these sites like it or not. People are able to think for themselves and check to see if any truth to what is being said.
More censorship! The way to end it is stop using their site . Socialism and communist ways to control what we hear and what they want us to know … not the truth. We got along fine without them for years … we can do it again .
I was on a site yesterday (using Cukor?) and their computer said that what I wrote was likely 82% offensive and anything above 80% wouldn’t be allowed to post! So I had to remove the truth to get it lower…
Here here!
Hear hear!
I agree with Mary. I no longer use Facebook/Google/Twitter. They did everything they could to overthrow our President and rig the election for someone that belongs in Leavenworth for cash dealings with foreign countries while in government office. Our DOJ had all the data they needed to bring charges, but didn’t. All of them are in the same scum barrel. And it seem’s as though our Supreme Court is also corrupt. Any politician that didn’t sign off to overturn Section 230 should be recalled and dismissed by their state.
Well said! I agree 100%
Why is this allowed
Those companies believe that they have the right to invade our consciences.
Never!
Best way to stop the owners of these anti human social media and media is a bullet!
Twitter ,Facebook, and Google should be shut down especially 230.
Also shut down Youtube… it doesn’t allow the truth to be told… Cancel subscriptions to all dishonest newspapers and other dishonest news sources… Have libraries stop buying their subscriptions…
yes, get rid of preferential treatment of all social media companies and start holding them all accountable for their actions . cancel section 230
Section 203 needs to be amended to get rid of the part that allows those social media companies to pick and choose what is posted, like it or not. AND, hold them accountable for crimes against the First Amendment.
I guess I want be here long because I say what’s on my mine and I know to be true.If you and Biden don’t like it to damn bad.I’m just waiting for the WAR to start and right about now it’s closer then you think. This country in about to bust wide open.The people are tired of the so called GODS in a couple of states or they think they are GODS.BIDENRADS BE READY TO FALL ON YOUR FACES BECAUSE YOU HAVE LET YOUR MOTOR MOUTHS OVER LOAD YOUR PAPER A#$HOLES THIS TIME.It has taken a life time but WE WILL BURY YOU FROM WITHIN HAS COME TO AMERICA. SO IF YOU BELIEVE IN AMERICA IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS WILL TELL IF WE LIVE FREE OR DIE. OH GOD PLEASE HELP US NOW FROM THESE, UN GOD LESS PEOPLE TRYING TO TAKE THIS COUNTRY FROM US WE THE PEOPLE. BECAUSE THEY HAVE FORGOT THAT THEY WORK FOR US. PRAY HARD LIFE IS SHORT AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOUR TIME HERE IS UP.
Shut it down. If they want to choose what is acceptable and what is not, it’s time to get rid of 230. The moment they censored us for not being in agreement with them, they made a choice to become publishers. They can’t have it both ways.
Hopefully Facebook and Twitter will shut down it’s communists controlling! Screw you all we have the rights to speak up freedom of speech if you don’t like it get out of America go to China screw leftist socialism!!!
I agree that Facebook and Twitter need to be shut down or reformed. I have Yahoo as a homepage for news, weather, and etc. However Yahoo insists on brainwashing its readers into stories that are complete fabrications of the left. They are also posting stories that are not true on how more than half of the American citizens feel about. No he did not kill thousands of citizens, but Pelosi did. No he did not destroy our country, but Biden will. He didn’t lie about anything, but the entire democratic party is filled with liars. They want to brainwash you and destroy this country. you will have no more freedoms. This did not start now, this has been going on for many of years. I am living proof that if you come from a poor family, they keep you poor, I have never made much more than minimum wage, all the high paying jobs were reserved for the black men and women, and yet they want reparation’s? I am sorry but I don’t have it to give. The entire world is changing, even if I had money and wanted to relocate, there is no place to go. It is not fair that these companies are allowed to lie to us (yahoo being the worst) There are a lot of truths that need to be told, the election has sooo much fraud, Biden and his entire have a lot of bad business with China, Obama, the Clintons, and most of the democrats want to see us fall. WAKE UP AND STOP THE STEAL
Forget Twitter and Facebook. Use Parler-you will be among conservative friends. Drop Google as a search engine and use DuckDuckGo. Much better engine and they don’t track you.
Forget Twitter and Facebook. Use Parler-you will be among conservative friends. Drop Google as a search engine and use DuckDuckGo. Much better engine and they don’t track you.