Member-only story
Is Social Media Really Causing Censorship? No, Not Really
Some lawmakers feel social media platforms censor accounts too easily. But if social media platforms are not the only internet access, is any message really being censored?
Ohio State Representative Al Cutrona (R) announced plans for an Ohio state bill that would require platforms to not remove a user’s posts or accounts from a social media platform unless their content is a violation of state or federal law. Cutrona feels that the tech platforms have too much influential power in deciding what is fact-checked and allowed on a platform. In an interview, he says they are practicing censorship. “You cannot have a free society where people cannot express their opinions,” he says in the Cincinnati Enquirer.
There are several problems with the premise for this bill— and the other similar state proposals that have been introduced around the country. The authors assume that censorship is a clear fact online when the intentions behind the removal of a social media post — or any other online content — is not always cut and dry as a reason.
Defining The Components of Censorship Online
Wikipedia defines censorship as “suppression of speech public communication or other information”. Let’s look at the word suppression. Suppression means to prevent the…
