Why is Twitter being an open Platform important to our Republic - W. Calkins
In reality, the concept, construct and implementation of Social Media has usurped the "town square" as the community conduit for discussion both social and societally, as Elon Musk intimated when he decided to buy Twitter.
Social Media has moved beyond our early notion of what it might become, and likely is still beyond our understanding of what it may yet become.
This makes it vital that platforms, like Twitter, maintain a neutral presence when it comes to the control of the conversations therein. Censorship of any kind must be undertaken with the greatest care, and the mere act of "offense" is not an adequate enough reason to squelch voices!
Social Media no longer can hide behind the "fences" of protest that organizations, like Twtter, are private companies and are exempt from the First Amendment rules for censorship. Nor should they be eligible the protection provided by our Government that indemnifies them from libel and slander since they claim they are NOT the publisher of the posts like a Newspaper. If they edit the content and restrict the speech or the author then they, in fact, ARE acting as a publisher. If they are working on behalf and in connection with the Government to squelch content and conversation, as it has recently been brought to light, then the censorship is unconstitutional, as they are acting as a proxy for the government.
An open "townsquare" social media platform with the free flow of conversation, debate and even raucous argument is necessary for a healthy Republic. An open marketplace creates an environment where the best products rise to the top and a consumer makes the best decision for themselves. The same thing applies to Twitter. WE decide who and what we listen to or read. This is the way it is meant to be in a free society.
I believe Elon Musk is right about this, his purchase of Twitter and it's reboot, might be a turning point in the history of our nation. Once again allowing us to go to the town square, take out our soapbox and air our grievances without fear of retribution, persecution or prosecution, but open merely to rebuttal and scrutiny of our peers. Or as some cynics believe, Elon is just a rich guy buying a "toy," I chose to believe it's the former... Viva la Free Speech!