Like all freedoms, the freedom of speech comes with responsibilities.
In the digital realm, and on social media in particular, our freedoms of speech are tested. “A society intolerant of discourse, debate, and dissent creates a balkanization of speech where ideologies remain unchallenged” (Hidy, 2021).
We are free to express and disseminate information and ideas. We are also free to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas. But, what about information and ideas that are false, insensitive, or offensive?
Some users of social media have been known to spread this kind of information. So, what happens to those sharing misinformation, disinformation, or controversial/offensive viewpoints? They can be censored (moderated) by social media platforms, or they can be cancelled by opposing sociocultural groups.
“These powerful, nongovernmental entities enact a speech privilege that preferences certain ideas, ideologies, theories, viewpoints, and speakers over others” (Hidy, 2021). In other words, these organizations decide which thoughts and speech are worthy of expression and which will lead to condemnation, censorship, and cancellation.
Our speech is only free in theory.
Next time, we will explore how changes in culture and technology may hasten digital assimilation.
References
Hidy, K. M. (2021). The speech gods: Freedom of speech, censorship, and cancel culture in the age of social media. Washburn Law Journal, 61(1), 99–162. https://heinonline-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/wasbur61&div=9&&collection=journals
