Discussions

Interesting discussion about social media and free speech or freedom of expression. Far too many don't understand that it only applies to the government and not private business, homes, online. And that there are limitations.  
 
https://fupolitics.podbean.com/e/stephen-steven-social-media-free-speech/

most understand that, however many choose to ignore that. Easier for them to justify their position.

I love schooling Americans on what their constitution freedom of speech protects. I love when they tell me that I am wrong.

That was very interesting!

Very true!

Freedom of expression is recognized as a human right under article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and recognized in international human rights law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).  
 
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 19: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2021/01/12/twitter-sends-out-major-irony-about-freedom-of-expression-during-election-n2583017

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in article 19, states that people should be able to express themselves via any media. That much is true Veloster. But it doesn't mean what you imply. If I want to host my own website I can say whatever I want, assuming my country has no laws against what I say or post, and assuming nobody can find me. But no company has to host speech, thoughts, or opinions on their platform that they don't agree with.  
 
In the US, Republicans fought hard to ensure that bakeries didn't have to bake cakes for gay weddings. You can't go from there to arguing that Twitter has to allow crazy conspiracy theories, hate speech, and outright lies. They don't. It's their platform. They own it. They don't have to allow free speech. And frankly they ought to be responsible for what their platform is used for.  
 
The very idea that a company isn't or shouldn't be responsible for what is said or posted on their platform is laid bare in a recent New York Times investigation of PornHub, which for years allowed members to upload anything with very little moderation, resulting in videos that involved human trafficking, underage people, etc. You can google that article.  
 
We either require platforms to moderate content, or we don't hold them accountable for the absolute trash that some users will post. But if you're advocating anyone's right to post any opinion on any companies' service.... You may be quite upset at what you start seeing all over the Internet. I'd rather the trash stay in the darkest recesses where few will find it.  
 
Edited by JosephC, 2021-01-16 18:31:44

Through my adult life I've always hidden behind a bit of naivety that people are basically good. While I still believe that, I think more and more people are being swayed by fear caused by extremists views finding more platforms to express and spread. Extremists will always claim their 'free speech' is being taken away. When in actual fact they are simply losing platforms for expressing vitriol and lies used to manipulate the population. They are still allowed to express their views and the government is not arresting them which is the definition of 'free speech'. However the public also plays a role in the expression of extreme views (by this I mean racist views, world is coming to an end rhetoric, conspiracy theories etc) through tolerance and apathy. This is where we all need to be more cautious.  
 
I have struggled myself with the idea of free speech when I see people being allowed to push their views to the point of violence and oppression. So far this discussion has helped me to understand the concept of free speech. Though I'm sure there is more to discuss.

to imply what I'm saying? What gives you the right to do so?

There is nothing hypocritical with Twitter's message.  
One can advocate for a free and open forum while blocking and banning messages that violate basic human decency at the least and incite violence at the worst. Mutually exclusive.