One of
the most talked-about and controversial amendments today is the first amendment
which articulates the importance of freedom of speech. Since the internet is so
prevalent today, people are using social media as a platform to exercise the
first amendment.
Using
social media and the internet as a way to express your thoughts and feelings is
happening more and more. Celebrities and politicians, especially, have
countless opportunities to get their thoughts out there and have people see
them through social media. We see it from our own president, Donald Trump who
tweets about all kinds of issues. While it is true, that thanks to the first
amendment we have the freedom to speak freely, many are beginning to wonder if
we are abusing our right to freedom of speech.
In 1996,
after congress passed section 230, any comments in the media are only comments
by the person who wrote and released them, and not the platform in which they
were released. The question is now becoming if this section 230 that was passed
in 1996 is being taken too far, and if people are taking advantage of it.
This is a
controversial view for many because, in today's world, social media has been
used to demonstrate the freedom of speech by starting some of the most
important social movements, including the major ones below.
The Growing Threat to Free Speech Online