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The First Amendment applies ONLY to the government: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
by leptoniscool 6y ago
The First Amendment applies ONLY to the government:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
There's no legal reason a private company cannot manage its content?
- ErikVandeWater 6y agoOne could argue these companies are extensions of the government when they collude with the NSA to illegally spy on Americans.
- sk5t 6y agoThat doesn't sound like a good-faith argument to me. Is Boeing the government also? AT&T? Did Chrysler become the government during the WW2 supply push?
- ErikVandeWater 6y agoIf the government uses their monetary ties, or forces a company with threats of legal (or executive) action to suppress free speech, I believe that is a violation of the 1st amendment.
- pqhwan 6y agoAre you stating that as an unrelated hypothetical, or are you claiming that Trump forced Twitter to censor himself?
- ErikVandeWater 6y agoI am stating a general principal. If Twitter made the decision based on government pressure, it would be because of influence by the upcoming administration. I have not seen evidence to this effect.
- deathlight 6y agoSurely there is a stronger defense of these companies' actions besides them being not prohibited by law.