←back to thread

Trump threatens to 'close' down social media platforms

(techcrunch.com)
707 points patd | 4 comments | 27 May 20 12:21 UTC | HN request time: 0.204s | source
Show context
falcolas ◴[27 May 20 13:19 UTC] No.23322696[source]▶
Free speech is not just an American constitutional right; many countries throughout the world consider free speech to be a human right.

So, yeah, many of us get a bit worked up when people are kicked off platforms, because they are being silenced, sometimes to the point of being shut out of the modern internet entirely (when their rights to a DNS address are comprehensively removed).

Hate speech and lies are terrible, but they’re not the only thing being silenced.

replies(5): >>23322837 #>>23322861 #>>23322910 #>>23327959 #>>23329690 #
1. Barrin92 ◴[27 May 20 18:47 UTC] No.23327959[source]▶
>Free speech is not just an American constitutional right; many countries throughout the world consider free speech to be a human right.

Although virtually none do so in unrestricted fashion. Hate speech, racism, genocide denial and so on aren't protected by free-speech in the overwhelming amount of legislations even in countries with a liberal tradition, and just like any other right free speech is subject to limitations.

replies(1): >>23328168 #
2. ethanbond ◴[27 May 20 18:59 UTC] No.23328168[source]▶
Just to be absolutely clear, the United States is one (yes, unique) case that does protect all of the types of speech you listed here.
replies(2): >>23329027 #>>23329378 #
3. jdashg ◴[27 May 20 19:53 UTC] No.23329027[source]▶
Incitement isn't protected speak though. It's not unabridged, nor black and white.
4. three_seagrass ◴[27 May 20 20:18 UTC] No.23329378[source]▶
Of those listed, yes, but SCOTUS has ruled that speech whose expression causes harm is not protected by the first amendment - i.e. your photos of children performing sexual acts are not protected by the first amendment.

The first amendment is not a blank check to express anything you want in the U.S.