Today the House Energy and Commerce Committee gathered to tackle Big Tech’s liability shield with a fresh proposal. Yet, the question lingers: will this bill carry any real weight?
The renewed focus on Big Tech comes in the form of a written appeal issued by the Free Speech Alliance, led by the Media Research Center. The Alliance has pinned a direct request on both the Committee and Representative Ro Khanna (D-PA), demanding an overhaul of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. In their assessment, the proposed legislation, dubbed the “Legislative Proposal to Sunset Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act,” offers only a surface-level solution to the problems surrounding Big Tech.
Here’s the essence of it: the bill neglects to tackle the paramount issues looming over Big Tech. It tiptoes around the matters of Big Tech censorship and potential Big Tech-government collusion that have threatened Americans’ online freedom of speech. Instead, the legislation only plans to sunset Section 230 after December 2025, failing to address the heart of the matter.
The Free Speech Alliance isn’t merely critiquing, however. They’ve laid out a roadmap for Congress: Amend Section 230 to eradicate viewpoint discrimination, but protect smaller platforms vulnerable to legal exploitation. It’s not about just sunsetting Section 230; it’s about fostering a digital environment where free speech can thrive.
The Alliance asserts that the route to reform must involve a dual objective. First, ensure the preservation of free speech rights since a working democracy hinges on such rights. Secondly, establish that censorship is fundamentally inimical to a free society.
Now, here’s the thing that sticks out like a sore thumb: The apparent indifference surrounding Big Tech’s censorship efforts. The Media Research Center’s Free Speech America project has put together a compendium of censorship episodes. At present, they’ve logged over 6,800 instances of Big Tech censorship, predominantly targeting conservatives.
Conservatives are on the receiving end of this injustice and it’s time for them to take action. They should reach out to their representatives and insist that Big Tech must echo the First Amendment provisions, ensure transparency, and offer unequivocal clarity on so-called “hate speech.” Big Tech must also establish an equal playing field for everyone, including conservatives.
Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that bipartisanship, reportedly, is being considered for these amendments, implying that both sides recognize the topic’s importance.
Therefore, it’s time for We the People to resist Big Tech overreach. If you’ve faced censorship, it’s time to step up. Reach out using MRC Free Speech America’s contact form – let’s keep Big Tech in check.
Simply put, this is a call to arms. It’s a clarion call for reformatory action within the Big Tech industry and the government. For the sake of our democracy, the freedom to voice our opinions must be protected and preserved. Now, more than ever, we must ensure that Big Tech holds up the mirror to the First Amendment.
