Caitlin Johnstone — Narrative Control Operations Escalate As America Burns

Note: Some Americans apparently don't realize it, but the right to free speech only applies to government limiting free speech.

Private parties like firms can however limit speech occurring in their area of control. So far at least, this control also applies to social media platforms. In fact, platforms may face civil liability for damages if they don't adequately control speech on their site.

In fact, this has a name — "de-platforming." I had to explain this to friend this morning when one of his favorite sites was de-platformed. He asked to see some documentation, so I sent a link.

Can websites censor things I say online?

We are often asked this question from potential clients who have had their online messages or postings removed by forums, message boards, or social media sites. However, as noted above, the First Amendment only applies to government actors, and not to private website operators. Therefore, assuming the website platform is acting on its own, and not at the request or on the behalf of some state or federal government authority, no First Amendment right is violated. A customer’s relationship with a website is usually governed by a set of “Terms and Conditions” that are agreed to during the registration or access process. Those Terms and Conditions often identify the grounds for removal of communications or termination of the customer’s account. Such user Terms and Conditions typically provide wide discretion for the website operator and are usually enforced by the courts. — Walters Law Group

Caitlin Johnstone — Rogue Journalist
Narrative Control Operations Escalate As America Burns
Caitlin Johnstone