4 ms·
I'm surprised that platforms like Twitter and Facebook aren't seen as de facto utilities, when a certain percentage of the population uses them, and when they'r
by ikeyany 10y ago
I'm surprised that platforms like Twitter and Facebook aren't seen as de facto utilities, when a certain percentage of the population uses them, and when they're the main method of communication for powerful institutions like corporations and the president.
Because when they aren't, you end up with arguments like "If you want free speech, just don't use private platforms". I don't think that's a reasonable argument anymore...those platforms wedged themselves into being a necessity for public figures.
- sparkzilla 10y agoI wish people would stop saying this: If platforms are treated as public utilities they will be under government control and there will be zeo free speech, and there will be no competition. The solution is for the private marketplace to make better products.
- pc86 10y agoNeither Twitter nor Facebook are "the main method of communication" for the President.
- koolba 10y agoOutside of the State of the Union address, I'm not aware of any "main method of communication" for the POTUS. You could argue the press conferences held by the press secretary are one form, but they're not mandated by the Constitution.
- pc86 10y agoI would say the press conferences are the main method as they are from the White House and happen multiple times a day. I don't know that a Constitutional mandate would have anything to do with it.
- ikeyany 10y agoThey're the main method to address the public. But how does the president communicate and interact with the public? Twitter.
- sverige 10y agoAnd the State of the Union address was delivered in written form to Congress for more than the first century after the Constitution was ratified. Hoover was the last to never give a speech for the State of the Union.