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I never understood the "public square" argument that so many people made about the role of Twitter or other social media platforms. They're really just private

I never understood the "public square" argument that so many people made about the role of Twitter or other social media platforms. They're really just private courtyards where permission to pass is controlled by the owner of the courtyard, within the constraints set out in the legal system on discrimination (i.e. the same as for restaurants, movie theaters, etc.). Here's the underlying legal basis of protected free speech in the United States: > "First Amendment: 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." However, that seems to raise an issue with the FBI - a government agency - directing a private entity to ban speech from persons they wish to silence, doesn't it?

electrondood 4y ago
Exactly. The "speech freely" meme was always a bullshit sound bite.
ceejayoz 4y ago
> However, that seems to raise an issue with the FBI - a government agency - directing a private entity to ban speech from persons they wish to silence, doesn't it? Do let us know when it happens.
BryantD 4y ago
To the best of my recollection, nothing published so far has shown the FBI directing Twitter to ban speech. If I am wrong, please do correct me. What I've seen is the FBI saying that they think specific accounts and Tweets violate policy and/or asking for them to be reviewed. It's reasonable to wonder if reports have more weight when they come from a government agency, in the same way one might wonder if reports have more weight right now when they come from Andy Ngo, but "directing" seems incorrect. It's interesting to me that the way Taibbi and Weiss are presenting this information leaves the impression that the FBI is giving Twitter orders.

electrondood 4y ago

Exactly. The "speech freely" meme was always a bullshit sound bite.

ceejayoz 4y ago

> However, that seems to raise an issue with the FBI - a government agency - directing a private entity to ban speech from persons they wish to silence, doesn't it? Do let us know when it happens.

BryantD 4y ago

To the best of my recollection, nothing published so far has shown the FBI directing Twitter to ban speech. If I am wrong, please do correct me. What I've seen is the FBI saying that they think specific accounts and Tweets violate policy and/or asking for them to be reviewed. It's reasonable to wonder if reports have more weight when they come from a government agency, in the same way one might wonder if reports have more weight right now when they come from Andy Ngo, but "directing" seems incorrect. It's interesting to me that the way Taibbi and Weiss are presenting this information leaves the impression that the FBI is giving Twitter orders.