I recently read an article on Neiman Journalism Lab that was talking about the integrity of free speech in lieu of the anti-Muslim film that became popular several weeks ago. One of the phrases that caught my eye was a quote that said...
"Andy Sellars of the Citizen Media Law Project noted that there’s a structural weakness to free speech online — it’s controlled by numerous private parties that can largely limit it as they choose."
I don't think this statement is necessarily a surprise to many people, but what I found interesting was the second part talking about how private parties can limit and alter free speech as they choose. Are there any negative consequences to letting free speech be judged by private parties?
- Does it set the bar for free speech lower?
- Are the practices of free speech constantly changing, and a moving target instead of a concrete set of rules?
- Why would a private party limit their 'free speech'? Does it have to do with holding companies, ownerships, sponsors and investors weighing in too?
Noelle,
ReplyDeletefirst of all I want to tell that I love your blog design. When it popped up on my computer I wanted to find some way to make the autumn leaves my screen saver.
as for private parties contolling online speech, I feel one thing is important to keep in mind. The First Amendment says "Congress shall make no law ...abridging the freedom of speech..." So, at least to some extent, it seems clear the Founders accepted that speech would be "free" so long as government did not penalize or otherwise constrain the expression of it. I think the idea was that private parties WOULD definitely shape their speech to further their self interest. And if all private parties were free (of government contol) to do the same, then a "marketplace of ideas" would evolve, in which certain ideas would eventually establish themselves as superior and others would be discarded.
Hi Tim - thanks for the feedback. Glad you liked the design, I have never done a blog before, but got really into picking out all the features - who knew you could customize so much!
ReplyDeleteAnyways - thanks for your perspective on my post. I think you make good points. I agree with the fact that private parties are definitely going to shape their free speech to best suit their own interest. And that competitive marketplace of ideas is what drives a lot of motion in our society.
Have a great weekend - see you Monday.
~Noelle