"...private censorship can be as harmful as governmental censorship."

submitted by Crad from americanbar.org

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[–]ManWithABanana 5 insightful - 2 fun5 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Nice essay, thanks for sharing.

I think business restrictions tend to favor very large businesses and the existing ones. Whatever regulation would ensue after extending the first amendment to websites, would work to prevent the creation of "The New Saidit" or whatever, and instead ensure Reddit/Facebook/Twitter keep out rivals.

I'm more interested in re-establishing the culture of free speech. Vicious people with virtual bats are waiting to smack you around if you say the wrong thing. Somehow that needs to change.

[–]beermeem 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Exactly this. It's called "Barrier to Entry." Existing large businesses have the legal departments and financial wherewithal to navigate the legal environment and still accomplish their goals. The more laws that are put in place, the more new competition is simply stifled.

[–]Crad[S] 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

People should be critical of private companies imposing censorship as much as they would if government did. One of the most popular arguments is that "you can't be free from consequences of free speech" while only siding with the censorship of such speech. Then it's not really freedom, is it?

[–]beermeem 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

My ex always said Facebook was basically a public utility and should be taken over by the government. A little commie to me but it's a fair point. The way so many people are so slavishly connected to Facebook and yet Facebook (or worse yet twitter) can just cut anyone off for virtually any reason they want to make up.

While it won't amount to much, I think sadly the recent Republican class action lawsuit is the way to go. When FB said people had to use their real names, the trans community mounted a huge backlash and now we're back to being able to use any name we want. So public pressure and creating alternatives like SaidIt are really the only options we have.

Also apps. Like my fantasy football leagues all just use discord.

[–]comments 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

as they say, the personal is political

eta: I was censored here on SaidIt without explanation

[–]Wrang1er 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (4 children)

Wouldn't that be the same as the baker that refused to make a cake for a gay couple? It goes both ways, thats the concept of freedom.

[–]Crad[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

Freedom of expression would defend his decision to do business with whomever they wanted. However LGBT is a protected class also, so I dont know if he is allowed to discriminate. Honestly i never followed that story...

[–]Wrang1er 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Private companies do the same thing, you have to be consistent.

[–]Crad[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Okay then discrimination is not allowed. But free speech doesnt just mean refusing to do business with a group of people.

[–]Wrang1er 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Its not protected by free speech. It is protected by the first amendment, freedom of expression,speech,religion ect. People often intertwine them.