- Moderator
- #101
I agree but I cannot get Parler on my phone, LOL. Not that I would as I despise all social media. But competition to me is not equal. My biggest issue is that Twitter wants to be regulated like AT&T or Verizon. I can call you a murderer over the Verizon phone call or text and not be censored. Not true with Twitter. So they are nothing like Verizon and should not be treated as such. To me they are closer to the NYT than Verizon.Excellent.
In a concurring opinion Monday, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said social-media companies have too much power over public speech, suggesting they be treated as utilities so they can be regulated by the government.
Clarence Thomas pushes new way to deal with social giants
That smacks too close to regulating the media. As long as there is competition, I don't think it should be considered a utility solely because conservatives refuse to follow the rules and then whine about consequences.
See THAT is where I think a case could be made to re-think the laws that these entities operate under, not necessarily make them like publishers or utilities, but they've changed since those laws were first created. ARE they effectively stifling competition? Maybe. Why does it seem like Congress (both parties) never addresses this?
But there is a significant difference between phone and twitter or social media. Phone is between you and one person. Twitter and social media is between you and the entire world. What you say is not private. A lie can spread around the world and become "truth" before you know it. So I agree with you there, but I also do not think they are anything like the news media. The news media has no obligation to allow anyone and everyone to air an opinion for example. Their purpose is journalism (whether you agree with them or not)...and they create their own content. I think social media is it's own category and needs to be viewed in that manner.