Mrs. M.
Man Feed Guest Writer
- Nov 2, 2015
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As the people of Europe storm social media to vent their outrage at the Islamic invasion that is creating sexual jihad attacks in places like Cologne Germany, government officials are cracking down on any criticism of Muslim Immigrants or Islam. They are now asking Social Media outlets to join them in their war against free speech.
Stefan Korner, Chairman of the Pirate Party Germany, has objected to creeping censorship on social media outlets. While it has been reported that Facebook is beginning to delete posts from its members, Twitter appears determined to respect the free speech of its members.
USMB, US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum, a considerably smaller social media website was not listed as a target by European authorities. The political website is a supporter of free speech and their slogan is – Where Every Voice Matters. Their statement is that they welcome everyone despite political and / or religious beliefs, and continue to encourage the right to free speech.
As an Op-ed Contributor for USMB, I'm not aware of any other political forum that protects freedom of speech as much as they do. I believe it is the largest political discussion forum on the internet with the exception of Facebook and Twitter.
The request from European officials appears to be in accordance with UN Resolution 16/18 which intends to make any criticism of Islam a criminal offense. While European citizens are seeing their freedom of expression crushed under the UN Resolution, America is still holding fast to 1st Amendment rights.
Will Social Media outlets cave in to UN pressure or will they exercise their 1st Amendment rights and say no to UN Resolution 16/18?
For information on UN Resolution 16/18 see this report -
U.N. Resolution 16/18 or U.S. Constitution
German authorities contacted some top social media sources forming a new task force to deal with “free speech” which they consider a problem. News sources report that Facebook is now looking at postings more stringently in order to determine whether or not users' comments are infringing on German law.
Facebook members say the social media site is deleting posts that attack Palestinians while not deleting posts that attack Israeli's. Israeli news sources have stated they believe Facebook has adopted a double standard. The latest news is Americans are being censored on Facebook for posts that Facebook deems crossing the line.
Does this mean that Facebook has now opted for UN Resolution 16/18 over 1st Amendment rights?
If it does? Facebook will lose millions of customers. Twitter and US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum will gain the members that Facebook loses.
According to one news source, Twitter has revised its rules to emphasize that it prohibits violent threats and abusive behavior by users. While Twitter is promising a tougher stance, how they enforce their rules in the future will determine whether they intend to suppress 1nd amendment rights.
I recently joined Twitter and have not noticed any infringement on free speech. It appears that they value their members and do not want to lose them.
It was reported in a blog post that the company stated the updated language emphasizes that Twitter will not allow behavior that is intended to harass, intimidate, or use fear to silence another user's voice. It states that they encourage diverse opinions and beliefs.
That is good to know. I would hate to think that Twitter would go the way Facebook appears to be going now. Supporting UN Resolution 16/18 would be a devastating blow to any social media outlet that enforced its rules. The core success of any society including social media is based upon free speech. People go where free speech reigns.
I like Twitter and appreciate the freedom of speech they offer their members.
For now, it appears that the agreement to infringe on free speech by social media is voluntary. 1st Amendment rights guarantee all social media the right to reject UN Resolution 16/18 rules.
I am glad that I am not a member of Facebook. I'd have to cancel my membership before submitting to their censorship. I'm grateful for Twitter but should the day ever come that they decide to ban members for any criticism of Muslim immigration and Islam, USMB will undoubtedly replace them as the largest social media site in the world.
1st Amendment rights should not be negotiable under any circumstances.
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