Online Censorship Cancels the Right of Free Speech

There is an astonishing trend afoot and if something isn’t done to stop it in its ugly tracks your right to freely express an opinion is in jeopardy.

President Donald Trump may be the most reviled person in the United States right now but the moves to silence him in the public square – and others who have espoused similar ideologies – is a chilling reality.

Social media platforms Twitter, Facebook and Instagram have announced plans to permanently remove all Trump accounts. Not just until he leaves office but forever.

In what universe is it okay to eternally bar an American citizen from exercising their fundamental right to free speech at a place where countless millions gather to exchange ideas? And how unbalanced is Twitter’s expulsion policy when it allows Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei, to post all sorts of violent and hate filled posts about the U.S., Israel and other perceived enemies on its platform?

The Ayatollah is okay, but the President of the United States is not?

Am I the only one who wants to read what our Chief Executive is thinking no matter what the message might be? Better to know what the powerful are up to than to ignore them. Everyone should be alarmed about being cut off from the most powerful person on the planet.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei casting his vote for the 2017 election - wikimedia commons photo
He Often Posts Violent Social Media Messages – But He’s Not Banned

In addition to social media forever muzzling the president prominent tech companies controlling app distribution – Google and Apple – dropped the Parler app from their offerings. Parler is described as “the conservative alternative to Twitter” and was a logical choice for Mr. Trump’s next social media home.

In what seemed to be a coordinated effort Amazon quickly piled on and informed Parler that its home on the internet would be annihilated. That prompted a lawsuit from Parler.

The stated reason for removing Parler’s fastest growing app? Parler doesn’t do enough, fast enough to delete questionable posts that promote violence and crime. Reportedly, some users partially planned the U.S. Capitol siege via Parler.

Interesting that similar steps weren’t taken against Twitter, Facebook or Instagram when those platforms were used to coordinate last year’s left-wing demonstrations which frequently turned violent. Why the censorship double standard?

Given a Big Tech Death Sentence – But Parler Rose Again *

Interesting, too, that a Simon and Schuster book deal was just abruptly cancelled with republican Senator Josh Hawley after he objected to some of the 2020 election results. The book’s title? ‘The Tyranny of Big Tech.’ See the pattern here? Trump, Parler, Hawley. Forced silencing of conservative (only) opinion. Shockingly obvious.

Many of the 74 million Trump voters believe these banishment moves were carried out to curry favor with the incoming democratic administration. Maybe, but this really isn’t about politics. It is about a form of censorship, fair treatment for all ideologies and everyone’s constitutionally protected right to freely express their opinions.

An exception: if someone is online inciting hate speech or plotting violence that is a crime and a job for law enforcement which has been maddeningly slow to root out internet-based clues before mayhem occurs.

Even progressive democratic U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have called for breaking up large tech companies. And the liberal-leaning American Civil Liberties Union has issued warnings about Big Tech becoming an unwanted Big Brother. “It should concern everyone when companies like Facebook and Twitter wield unchecked power to remove people from platforms that have become indispensable for the speech of billions,” an ACLU lawyer wrote.

In other words, if some geeky bro in Silicon Valley can decide to permanently kick Donald Trump to the digital curb you could be next.

Last week I wrote to support social media’s temporary ban of President Trump’s accounts. In the wake of the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol it seemed to me to be a necessary step – like placing a belligerent child in the corner for a time out. But forever denying an American citizen the freedom to express their opinion – whether it’s an opinion the majority shares or not – is anathema to everything we stand for in this country.

Free Speech Means Free Speech For Everyone

The argument that, “Well, these are private companies, they can do what they want,” just doesn’t cut it. Big Tech has, collectively, become a monster monopoly of public discourse. And worse yet, our Congress has given them that power and has allowed them to misuse it.

As Harry Truman once said, “Once a government is committed to silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens creating a country where everyone lives in fear.”

Amen to that.

###

*Note: After this column was published Parler was back on line, hosted on a different platform.

52 Comments

  1. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:17 am

    Mike writes:

    Once again I would like to thank you for a very well written piece in today’s paper. It was well said, factual and most of all eye opening. In this time that most people get their news and information from the internet it is also scary. There is an old saying “ you don’t know what you don’t know “. Seems we are being led without really knowing it. Sad but you please keep up the good work.

  2. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:19 am

    Kevin McKeown writes:

    Diane:
    I love your columns and the way your brain thinks, but this is not shared by residents of New Mexico. Every column you write gets lengthy negative feedback, and bashing, in the Speak-up section of the Albuquerque Journal. New Mexicans simply just hate your opinions and it’s very disturbing.

    New Mexicans, and Americans in general, are itching and twitching for a communist Society. There are a number of reasons for this and one of them is the fact that a communist one-party system provides security for all members of a population.

    Another is the idea that under a communist system all persons will have some share of the money pie. Including homeless people who have absolutely no incentive to get ahead.

    The liberal, progressive, socialist left has done an absolutely amazing job at selling the idea of socialism and communism to America. They have lied, they have misstated, they have omitted facts, and they have the big tech and big media on their side. It’s a no-win situation for anybody that thinks differently.

    Communist and socialist thought has been prevalent in New Mexico for many many decades. I can go to a church serving dinners for the homeless, and I’ll see communist literature being discussed, with talk of Marxism and the overthrow of our American government, the tearing up of our Constitution, and the destruction of industry, private Enterprise, and institutions. It’s widespread.

    It’s very disturbing. The way you turn a government or a country over to Communism is to get a majority of people within the population thinking that they are being screwed over by the wealthy. Let me give you an example. A friend of mine makes $30 an hour, lives in a fine home, drives a nice car, and lives well. His wife is a $50 an hour language consultant. Maybe he can’t be flying to Hawaii for a vacation every year, but this man is a serious, serious communist wanting the destruction of the United States government. I hate talking to the man because he is so misinformed. And brainwashed. His big topic is the nationalization of banks, oil companies, pharmaceuticals, insurance companies, the auto industry, the medical industry, and so on. He wants the government to take over these enterprises. He’s a disgusting piece of crap, but this is the way so many Americans think nowadays. Americans that are well off and this is scary.

    I would be grabbing your backside if I were you, because this country is headed down a very dark road. Into a realm where any free speech and rebuttal is not tolerated. You might find yourself jailed Diane.

    Many readers of the Albuquerque Journal want your column cancelled.

    Kevin

  3. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:20 am

    Janet Ross writes:

    Curtailing the ravings of a delusional Trump who struck the fuse that resulted in the attack on the Capital is not the curtailing of free speech. Free speech comes with responsibility; no one can falsely yell FIRE in a crowed theater. Lies are not free speech and lies that lead to death and the attempt to overthrow our government need to be stopped. What if Hitler’s lies had been stopped earlier?

    Two final points: the Civil War was lost by the South and Trump lost his bid for a second term. Truth needs to be told at every opportunity.

    Respectively,
    Janet D.Ross

  4. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:21 am

    JD Garcia writes:

    Becoming a big fan of yours. Just finished reading your Saturday column in the Albuquerque Journal. You are right on target.

    I have a difficult time with hypocrisy. The same mayor in DC who rejected uniformed personnel during the BLM summer of hate and attempted storming of the White House because of the optics and impact on “peaceful demonstrators” as well as Lujan Grisham and Keller who refused to send overwhelming law enforcement to minimize destruction when the left was canceling Onate and burning downtown are now pushing for a “militarized” presence against “insurrections” are so hypocritical it makes me sick.
    We never saw accountability for the destruction in Albuquerque.

    A topic you may touch on is the push by various lawmakers and “socialites” to send trump supporters and families into “reeducation”. Similar to what the viet cong, communists and Nazis have done.

    Thank you

  5. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:22 am

    Allen Berlin writes:

    Ms. Dimond:

    I totally disagree with your premise that Donald Trump should not have been permanently deprived of his use of social media to expound his views. The evidence is quite conclusive that he instigated last week’s violent attack on the capital by his rhetoric and use of his Twitter account. His doing so jeopardized not only those doing the nation’s business but our democracy as well. Were he to retain access to his account, there is no telling to what destructive use he might put it when he leaves office. When the individual right to free speech is weighed against the threat to an entire nation, the individual right must be forfeited.

    Allen Berlin
    Albuquerque, NM

  6. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:22 am

    Tina Derr writes:

    Your column is right on point. January 6, 2021 was a terrible scene. However, all the mayhem that occurred all across the country earlier in 2020 has been brushed off as if the destruction and anarchy never existed.

    Our freedom of speech is at great risk. The big tech companies have got the world in their grip and is going to have to rely on journalists like yourself that are still not being censored to spread the word. Unfortunately, it seems fewer people take the time to read the whole story, rather just read snippets. Headlines. The whole story is never revealed to those who are use to one-liners to get their information.

    So, that said, I am surprised you were able to get valuable information out. Shame everyone doesn’t read the whole story.

    Tina F. Derr

  7. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:24 am

    Bonnie Trujillo writes:

    President Trump, Jan. 6, 2021 —

    “Now it is up to Congress to confront this egregious assault on our democracy. And after this, we’re going to walk down and I’ll be there with you. We’re going to walk down–

    We’re going to walk down. Anyone you want, but I think right here, we’re going to walk down to the Capitol–

    And we’re going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women and we’re probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them.

    Because you’ll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength and you have to be strong.

    We have come to demand that Congress do the right thing and only count the electors who have been lawfully slated. Lawfully slated.

    I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard. Today, we will see whether Republicans stand strong for integrity of our elections. But whether or not they stand strong for our country, our country. Our country has been under siege for a long time. Far longer than this four year period.”

    Dear Ms Dimond, The above is a small part of the speech President Trump gave to his supporters before the chaos on Jan 6, 2021. You may remember that was the day when the capital was invaded. You could say this is a peaceful speech depending on understanding of the Democratic process. Sadly, this is the one place where the president was not calling the election a fraud, calling all Democrats dishonest, railing about weak Republicans and suggesting that any one who does not support him is a criminal.
    You talk about free speech but letting any one person repeat accusations of dishonesty about anyone who does not say, when asked to jump, “How high?” creates belief especially when that person has twitter and other forms of mass media. Maybe it is logical to say that the mass media by using free speech as an excuse for letting lines and conspiracy theories flow in streams down to a gullible public caused the riot in Washington DC January 6, 2021.

    B C Trujillo

  8. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:27 am

    Andrea Malone writes:

    I don’t agree with the banning of Trump after the march. He didn’t instigate anything. The American People see the immense fraud, corruption, and cowardice of Congress and of the Supreme Court. The FBI, the CIA. It’s intolerable now. We can’t unsee it. So someone has to clean it up. This won’t go away or calm down with the removal of Trump. It will only seeth and get worse until we get our Country back from the communist and the corrupt. They STOLE the election! If Republicans think we will vote anymore for them, they are wrong. They will have to cheat and buy their elections without us.

  9. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:30 am

    Yole Seech writes:

    He who controls the narrative controls the people.

  10. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:33 am

    tgk2705 writes:

    Parler has been blocked by apple and google. This is communism

  11. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:34 am

    J.A. writes:

    For years the word communism was taboo. For Democrats, it is now a badge of honor. It doesn’t seem possible. But they are now openly pro-Marx, pro-Lenin, pro-Stalin pro-Mao and pro-Castro. So ask yourself, when will the civil war officially begin?

  12. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:35 am

    Happy Camper writes:

    NONVIOLENT boycotts are the answer.

    Boycott ALL socialist media

    Boycott Amazon

    Boycott Google

    Boycott Apple

    Boycott China / Chinese products

    Boycott spending except necessities

    Message heard.

    • Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:40 am

      Oleg Grim replies to Happy Camper:

      Me too. If you cancel all these services Twitter, Facebook, it is actually feels liberating.

  13. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:41 am

    markham.bryan writes:

    You were in favor of temporarily banning the president? You are the problem too.

  14. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:42 am

    Nin 84 writes:

    “Belligerent child a time out”. WTH?!? Oh, so it’s ok to censor the President “for a little bit” like a “child.” Sorry, you just proved you are ok with censorship and belittling the President.

  15. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:44 am

    pbaspiras writes:

    With the backing of Democrats and their allies, Big Tech is methodically tightening the screws on free speech. This is what they do in communist countries. This is chilling.

  16. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:50 am

    Harry Keith writes:

    I was blocked from Facebook today. My 1st offense so only 24 hours. Lol. Why? Because of a post of course. What was the post?

    “Most Americans are like cats and the media controls the red dot.”

    That wasn’t threatening. It was my opinion. But evidently somebody took offense to it. Lol.

  17. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:54 am

    joanmcm2009 writes:

    Why are tax dollars going to fund these companies? They make plenty of money and operate as censors. Amazon should not be a government contractor if it censors and uses excuses to ruin smaller businesses. Ridiculous.

    • Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:55 am

      Jim Carrel replies to Joan mcm2009:

      They are not government entities, they are private businesses. If they can prevent someone with differing views from engaging in their business, then can’t a small business owner do the same?

    • Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:55 am

      Jim Carrel replies to Joanmcm2009:

      They are not government entities, they are private businesses. If they can prevent someone with differing views from engaging in their business, then can’t a small business owner do the same?

  18. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:57 am

    Jon Jonzz writes:

    When Social Media becomes more powerful then Congress, we have a very serious situation on our hands. Do we even need a Centralized Govt? Let States govern themselves without Congress. They have proven themselves Non-essential

  19. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:58 am

    Lou Iacobelli writes:

    The left and the woke want to make sure that free speech is censored. There is no room for debate because they know they can’t defend their views. Welcome to the “Animal Farming” of America.

  20. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 10:59 am

    fred.fleming writes:

    Simple solution don’t use social media anymore. It’s a good thing Facebook, Twitter and the like weren’t around during the Revolutionary War…Paul Revere would not be able to warn anybody the British are coming. People today are trying to spread the word Socialism/Communism is coming but they are being silenced…by Big Tech, Big Media and Bad Politicians. Shame on the non-patriots.

  21. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:03 am

    Compound writes:

    Just stay offline. Kill their empire

  22. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:06 am

    lmer615 writes:

    Here’s a better analogy. What if the left pushed AT&T into blocking Trump from every being able to se his telephone again. Or forced Verizon to cancel his cell phone service. Wouldn’t that be about the same thing?

  23. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:08 am

    Diane Kaiser writes:

    If a crime is being committed online, then inform law enforcement to deal with it. But we all know no crime was committed. The control-freaks just don’t want certain views and opinions posted on their social media platform.

  24. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:08 am

    cpatterson1120 writes:

    Thank you so much for what you have written. I couldn’t put it into words any better than what you did. I agree with you 100%. And I’m frustrated because I feel like there’s so few really care. They don’t deserve him. I have been threatened they are going to come after me. And I’m ignoring it. They’re a bunch of thugs I am so concerned for my grandchildren and the kind of country they are going to live in. All children.

  25. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:10 am

    Linda Moore writes:

    Great article Ms. Dimond. Astoundingly, Google blocked all of my personal emails to Fox News anchors Bret Baier, Martha MacCallum, Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, Lou Dobbs and Fox Contributors Charles Hurt and Marc Thiessen with the Washington Times.

    This occurred when I tried to send them an email stating that I thought Democrats had started all the violence when hateful Democrat public officials (and I named them) started insulting and inciting violence against Trump and his supporters from the early days of presidency. I also pointed out that they had called the BLM/Antifa riots “peaceful” even as they were looting, vandalizing, murdering policemen and burning down businesses, police stations and court houses.

    I switched to my husband’s email account with Charter.net and they went through. That means that Google is monitoring and censoring our private gmails. Unbelievable!!

  26. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:11 am

    davencicio writes:

    Furthermore, how about why they can silence the current president, how about how they don’t or barely censor people challenging if the holocaust even took place or extremism such as al quida such as klu Klux Klan… sickens me that they can get away with this. It’s a pure silence job and everyone seems to be running with it… wake the fk up world.

  27. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:11 am

    Terence Bell writes:

    “Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freedom of speech.”

    Benjamin Franklin

  28. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:12 am

    scmccabe writes:

    Diane, you had me until you wrote that you supported the temporary ban of Trump’s account – how ignorant! Go back and watch/read his speeches. He did NOT incite violence. I agree with the rest of your article that this is a disturbing trend that must be stopped. It’s clear the weak and corrupt Republican leadership lead by McConnell will do nothing so the American citizens must speak up. Pelosi’s first move in Congress is to manipulate our voting process by expanding voter registration. How is that I need a license to check in to a hotel but none to vote?!? No wonder Congress has a 12% approval rating versus President Trump’s 50%. Left or Right we should all work to end these very disturbing trends that crush our democratic process. WE must work together to heal divisions and stop focusing on our differences but rather focus on our commonalities as Americans. God Bless America!

  29. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:24 am

    Ted Mcaleer writes:

    This is EXACTLY what I’ve been thinking/reading. How easy will it be to cancel just anyone? If it can happen to the president, it can easily happen to anyone.

  30. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:25 am

    Peter Bishop writes:

    “After the grenade was gently tossed into the room, Diane deftly closed the door behind her ”
    Do private communications platforms have an obligation to provide an unfettered service to everyone, regardless of how the platform is used/abused? There is no regulation (no FCC for them) and these are purely commercial entities answerable to shareholders/owners (it’s the American way). If their revenue stream is threatened by their clients not wanting to buy their data any more because they have become tool of the (insert suitable pejorative term here), then, apart from any moral or political issues, don’t they actually have a fiduciary responsibility to exclude those users? It’s an interesting talking point which invokes “free speech” which is a much-misunderstood concept often provoking knee-jerk reactions as many will interpret it as a First Amendment issue. It isn’t. It’s the same as Rupert Murdoch telling Fox News to dump Tucker Carlson because advertising revenue is taking a hit. Is that censorship?

    • Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:27 am

      Diane replies to Peter:
      In the (very) unlikely event that Murdoch would fire Tucker Carlson – Well…yes, I guess I would view that as a form of censorship – financially inspired censorship in your scenerio.

    • Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:28 am

      Guy Kurt replies to Peter Bishop:

      Another great perspective.

      The irony is, in my opinion, if they banned President Trump from the start he would have properly gotten re-elected. His ridiculous social media comments did him in.
      And their hypocrisy is absolutely amazing. Any law enforcement agency will now tell you that a lot of gang shootings, “wildings”and other mayhem is social media planned and driven. So much for censorship. Not to mention Iranian or Communist Chinese propaganda.
      I do think government regulation is in order. The FCC needs to add this facet of communication.

  31. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:29 am

    Laurie Kahn writes:

    I think they’re concentrating on people who perpetuate things that have been proven to be patently false – and frankly it’s about time.

  32. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:29 am

    Doug Franks writes:

    Big tech and big media are doing exactly what has been done in China. With their AI in place Chinese have a score they get for being a ideal citizen. If you get a bad score privileges or taken away. We are heading that same way with the delusional Democrats, Progressives, and socialist agenda.

  33. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:30 am

    Calvin De Mond writes:

    Was the bakery that refused to bake the wedding cake for a Gay couple a private business? We’re they not exercising their right as a private business to refuse service? Social media are private entities not government entities, so therefore they can set their own standards and do business with whomever they want.

    • Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:34 am

      Diane replies to Calvin:

      I follow your thought pattern here. But don’t forget – the bakery owner was sued and taken to court. Very costly battle ensued. The case went all the way to the US Supreme Court. The issue of Big Tech silencing certain viewpoints has not yet gone to the Supremes.

  34. Diane Dimond on January 18, 2021 at 11:36 am

    Michael Lange writes:

    When someone signs up with Twitter, Facebook, etc. they agree to their terms of service. That’s a contract. Are you suggesting that by enforcing the contract someone agreed to, these services are doing something wrong? Hmmmm…….I just look at it as I signed something, so I’m going to keep my word. Also, it’s free, so the product is me (and all of you). If the company doesn’t think the product is working for them anymore, they discontinue that product. Doesn’t that make business sense?

  35. Danno Hanks on January 19, 2021 at 6:32 am

    “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”……….Evelyn Beatrice Hall Hall And, of course, Danno Hanks

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_Beatrice_

  36. Diane Dimond on January 21, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    Christopher Clark writes:

    Trump can’t get on TV or give a press conference any time he wants?

    Give me a break!

    • Diane Dimond on January 21, 2021 at 2:35 pm

      Diane replies to CC:

      I think you’ve missed the main point, Christopher Clark.

      From my independent voter viewpoint there IS a rampage, a coordinated backlash against conservatives/Trump supporters ( And I do NOT count myself among that group.)

      The censorship/cancel/erase campaign includes: social media bans, people losing their jobs because of their political beliefs, book and recording contracts are being canceled, some are being dropped from insurance rolls, banned from flying or banking ….and at Harvard University there are demands to have Trump supporters degrees revoked. In addition several corporations are announcing cancelation of contracts with conservative Americans.

      I see this massive movement – beginning with banning conservative voices on the main social media sights – as frightening. Chilling. And it can only cause more profound disunity in our already rattled country.

  37. Diane Dimond on January 21, 2021 at 2:37 pm

    Wesley P Stafford writes:

    Some well articulated and solid points on this post. I can support at least some of what everyone has said. I think the line is crossed with yelling “fire” in a crowded theater. Not harmful in and of itself but can reasonably be expected to cause harm when in context of the situation.

  38. Diane Dimond on January 21, 2021 at 2:38 pm

    Baxter Porter VI writes:

    If I invite someone into my home, or invite several people into my home, and tell them before they come in, “do not say the name Voldemort in my home”, and someone says “Voldemort” and I kick them out, I’m not “censoring” said person.
    They can still say it. Just not in my home.

  39. Diane Dimond on January 21, 2021 at 2:38 pm

    Nick Fischer writes:

    I have no problem with anyone being thrown off social media for hate speech and promoting civil violence. No matter what their political/social beliefs no one is guaranteed a privately owned loudspeaker to air their rants.
    I think this social media stuff might be worse for mankind than organized religion which is only one degree of separation from all the violence in the world.

  40. Diane Dimond on January 21, 2021 at 2:39 pm

    Peter John Ross writes:

    The President of the United States was banned from social media for violating the policies and terms of service agreement. That is not “censorship” because he was not banned for making statements they did not agree with. Trump incited a riot and continue to post inflammatory statements after being given a warning.
    That is not censorship and certainly not related to First Amendment issues.

  41. Diane Dimond on January 21, 2021 at 2:45 pm

    Steven Grumbach writes:

    The President was not banned as the President. He was banned because he like others, violated the terms of the agreements and posted incendiary words and calls to action that could incite violence. Yelling fire in a crowded theater is against the law no matter who yells it.

    • Diane Dimond on January 21, 2021 at 2:46 pm

      Sally Kellogg replies:

      Steven Grumbach the fact that anyone was banned or censored is the REAL issue. It is just a bigger National Security threat If BIG Tech does it to our President no matter if they agree or not. And a LOT of people have been being blocked from FB too. Unconstitutional.

  42. Diane Dimond on January 21, 2021 at 2:48 pm

    Patrick Younge writes:

    Surely if you join a private club you have to abide by its rules, and if you don’t they can cancel your membership and kick you out. It’s all hard to claim censorship for a man who’s every word would be broadcast and reported if he could be bothered to speak to the press – who else has that guaranteed ability to have their voice heard? You dont and i dont. Twitter has been around for 13 years, so free speech must be possible without it. Where i do think you have a point is Amazon Web Services cancelling Parler, because they have a function more like a freeway and on this basis they could take down broadcasters they disagree with.

  43. Diane Dimond on January 21, 2021 at 2:49 pm

    Jeff Collins writes:

    Diane, the Supreme Court has already decided this issue: Link posted below.

    Using your logic, FB, and Instagram should be FORCED to allow users to post pornographic material on their personal pages. As you know, FB/Instagram set standards (terms of use) and DO NOT allow such material — those companies randomly decide which types of images cross the line. Sometimes there judgement doesn’t make sense and people complain they were tossed off unfairly. Twitter allows porn but Instagram and FB do not, why? The same is true with political speech, violence, incitement of violence, etc., IF YOU ARE PROPOSING we pass laws to FORCE EVERY MEDIA PLATFORM to treat all material equally please COUNT ME IN! Your argument would be better served if you proposed BREAKING UP these large companies because they are too big and too powerful — count me in too! Republicans won’t agree.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hustler_Magazine_v._Falwell

  44. Diane Dimond on January 21, 2021 at 2:58 pm

    Michael Wright writes:

    I am struggling with the concept that social media is where we get our official political information. trump doing this on a daily basis doesn’t make it the norm, or right. We do not, and should not rely on these platforms for official news…it’s called social media. I will continue to use the old forms for official news, like press briefings, press conferences and interviews by reputable news outlets. I hope that I kicked kicked off if I violate the rules, we shouldn’t make violating the rules the norm either, and then complaining about it.

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