Big Tech Bans Big Conspiracy Theorist
Will Sommer, tech reporter for The Daily Beast and creator of the Right Richter newsletter, and Timothy Lee, tech reporter for Ars Technica, talks about the decision by multiple social media outlets and tech companies, including YouTube, Spotify and Facebook to ban content from noted conspiracy theorist Alex Jones from its platforms, and listeners weighed in:
Jones can scream about 'censorship' but the fact is, these platforms are not subject to 1st Amdmt bc they're private corps, not government- & even if they were, not all speech is protected.
— Thomas Howard (@ThmsHoward) August 8, 2018
Before these tech platforms start expanding censorship, they need: (1) clear standards, (2) transparency in application, (3) independent review/appeals of the decision; (4) ongoing review of patterns of how/when enforced to identify discriminatory impact.
— Albert Fox Cahn (@CahnLawNY) August 8, 2018
@BrianLehrer To all opposing, like Ted Cruz & previous speakers, at the end of the day "inciting any kind of riot or violence is a crime punishable by law," whether you're on the left or right, or POTUS, or media or individual. There is a place for censorship for safety—PERIOD!
— James Ordonez — Art Director (@ArtDirectorNY) August 8, 2018
I agree with facebook and other platforms controlling content. The pros far outweigh the cons.
— Teeluck Sooknarine (@tsooknarine) August 8, 2018
@BrianLehrer these tech companies are not utilities, they are privately held & have the right to manage the content on their platforms as they see fit. It may be short sighted, but it's not illegal. Alex Jones is free to find alternatives or start his own platforms.
— Louise Wainwright (@weezla) August 8, 2018
