Social Media Deplatforming and the Law – Maranatha Baptist University

Recent events have highlighted the very real dangers to online viewpoint expression represented by the editorial actions of major social media platforms. The power of words to influence (for good or evil) underscores the importance of God’s people graciously engaging the culture with wisdom and discretion. I wrote this article for the American Association of Christian Schools’ Journal of Christian Education in the fall of 2019. It provides what I hope will be a helpful overview of the dangers of private companies censoring speech online as well as the pitfalls of government intervention. There are no easy answers! President Trump recently issued an Executive Order on Preventing Online Censorship (May 28, 2020). Of particular note, the EO signals the administration’s position that CDA Section 230 (discussed in detail below) “immunity should not extend beyond its text and purpose to provide protection for those who purport to provide users a forum for free and open speech, but in reality use their power over a vital means of communication to engage in deceptive or pretextual actions stifling free and open debate by censoring certain viewpoints.” Special thanks to the AACS for permission to republish this article on the MBU website. -Dr. Matt Davis 6/1/2020

Source: Social Media Deplatforming and the Law – Maranatha Baptist University