Can social media deny a platform to some?
Geoffrey Stone’s piece about the deplat-forming of President Donald Trump questions whether a private entity can control its environment (Jan. 17 Insight, “Social Media and ‘Free Speech’: Is it Time for Government Regulations?”) This is a fact of life. When the sign on the door of the business you patronize says to everyone entering their establishment that you must have a shirt covering their bodies and shoes on their feet or no service, the business has that right.
Donald Trump joins Alex Jones in the club of despicable people who are denied the ability to espouse utter falsehoods. Mr. Jones was the virulent host of the Alex Jones show that claimed the shootings at Sandy Hook elementary school was a hoax. Why would any sensible free speech loving person object to this vile man claiming a massacre was a hoax everyday of the week on his platform? Why would anyone object to a deranged individuals claims of election fraud with absolutely no evidence being denied a platform? He also commanded his mob to march to the capital and protest “forcefully”.
I do, however, agree with
Mr. Stone’s thesis that media platforms need strict perimeters. Imagine what kind of society we would be if we allowed white militias to organize, coordinate, recruit, and threaten our society because they are patriots. We already allow this. How long do you think a Marxist Communist, Islamic extremest, or a Black Panther organization would be allowed to employ the same platforms that white militias have had at their fingertips for four years?
These white militias train for armed insurrection.
The right wing media would have made their ability to function in our country illegal. These outlets would have directed their cronies to the kind of legislation that was necessary to control these zealots. But white wing militias can roam our state capitals toting their weapons, intimidating the population and that’s okay because they are patriots.
There is in the realm of truth, the colors black and white. When you use the color gray you muddy the waters. It’s time to take a stand and make this country better for everyone. You can only try to explain the truth away for a little while! MICHAEL LECHMANIK
Moon