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Twitter became de-facto a part of public square. Especially since appointed and elected officials started using for official and non-official communicate. The U

Twitter became de-facto a part of public square. Especially since appointed and elected officials started using for official and non-official communicate. The US court of appeals said it pretty clearly here: https://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/documents/local/4th-circuit-rules-against-virginia-elected-official-who-blocked-constituent-on-facebook/3372/ https://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/documents/local/4th-circui... Censoring individual twits is one thing, but banning entire account is a different thing, because now it restricts your ability to interact with elected officials. Besides, equal time rule demands that TV and radio stations(private and public) give equal time to competing politicians. There are exceptions, but logically it should extend to social media and video hosting sites, because they are today’s version of radio and TV stations. On top of that, I would argue social media became the only mean of public assembly, which is a protected right, during Covid lockdown. Politicians pay attention to twitter, you can’t assemble by the city hall with banners to express your opinion, because you are to stay home. The next closest thing is to swarm twitter and facebook, given how closely they watch trends there.

noahtallen 4y ago
As a counterpoint, even in the public square, not all types of speech are allowed. For a frivolous example, many cities have noise ordinances and laws against breaking the public peace. So you get tossed in jail for a night for being a public nuisance. We treat Twitter and Internet forums less seriously, as if someone can say whatever the fuck they want with no consequences at all. That’s not how it works in the public square, so why should it be that way on Twitter?
- YeBanKo 4y ago
  > That’s not how it works in the public square, so why should it be that way on Twitter? No one seriously suggests that all types of speech are allowed. Malevolently shouting "Fire" in a crowded theater is not free speech. Noise ordinance have fairly limited scope and in virtual scope is actually fairly easy to deal with. I don't care what Kanye West things and I don't subscribe to him. As for disorderly conduct, it is such a wide net of laws, that it can range from misdemeanor like making loud noises to criminalizing homelessness or some other biased laws, I don't think that even make sense to apply this logic to the virtual space.
esotericimpl 4y ago

noahtallen 4y ago

As a counterpoint, even in the public square, not all types of speech are allowed. For a frivolous example, many cities have noise ordinances and laws against breaking the public peace. So you get tossed in jail for a night for being a public nuisance. We treat Twitter and Internet forums less seriously, as if someone can say whatever the fuck they want with no consequences at all. That’s not how it works in the public square, so why should it be that way on Twitter?

YeBanKo 4y ago
> That’s not how it works in the public square, so why should it be that way on Twitter? No one seriously suggests that all types of speech are allowed. Malevolently shouting "Fire" in a crowded theater is not free speech. Noise ordinance have fairly limited scope and in virtual scope is actually fairly easy to deal with. I don't care what Kanye West things and I don't subscribe to him. As for disorderly conduct, it is such a wide net of laws, that it can range from misdemeanor like making loud noises to criminalizing homelessness or some other biased laws, I don't think that even make sense to apply this logic to the virtual space.

esotericimpl 4y ago