#twitterban

#MDA20009 #Week5

Twitter's censure of Donald Trump while he was still a President a violation of "free speech" principles and democracy?

Twitter has become a major platform for political databases in recent years. its unique features make it well-suited for this purpose. The suspension of Donald Trump from Twitter in early 2021 ignited a fiery debate about free speech and social media moderation. Some argue that it was an essential move to curb incitement, while others view it as an infringement on free speech rights and a threat to democracy. In this blog, we'll explore the complexities of this issue, balancing the principles of free speech with the necessity of content moderation on social media platforms Twitter has been used to facilitate political debate on a wide range of issues, including elections, public policy, and social movements. Twitter has also been used by political candidates and campaigns to connect with voters and share their messages

Social Media as Public Platforms

Twitter is a platform well-known for its real-time, meaning users can share their thoughts on current issues and events. The reason why this platform is widely used for political parties is because of the short form (280 words) limit on tweets. According to (Vliet, Tomberg & Uitermark 2020), Twitter, like other social media platforms, has become a global stage where political leaders communicate directly with the public. Trump's prolific use of Twitter blurred the lines between his personal expression and official statements. This raises questions about whether social media should be considered a public utility and how this impacts the notion of free speech.

The Power of Private Platforms

On the other hand, Twitter is a private company with its own terms of service. Critics argue that it has the right to moderate content that violates those terms. However, the sheer influence and reach of these platforms grant them immense power over public discourse (Davies, Donald & Grsy 2022). This power becomes especially significant when political leaders are involved. Twitter has been used to facilitate political debate on a wide range of issues, including elections, public policy, and social movements. For example, the #ArabSpring hashtag played a key role in organizing and mobilizing protesters during the Arab Spring uprisings. Twitter has also been used by political candidates and campaigns to connect with voters and share their messages (Chen, Deb & Ferrara 2021).

incitement vs. Free Speech

Twitter cited concerns about Trump's posts inciting violence as the reason for his suspension. This brings forth the debate over where the line between free speech and incitement should be drawn. Exploring the legal precedents and ethical considerations is crucial in understanding the rationale behind Twitter's decision (Gorenc 2022).

The Slippery Slope Argument

The "Slippery slope" argument concerning Twitter's suspension of Donald Trump revolved around the fear that such a move could establish a precedent with far-reaching consequences for free speech and democracy (Chiaro 2020).

First, Precedent for Censorship, critics argue that when a high-profile figure like Donald Trump is banned from a social media platform, it establishes a precedent. They worry that this precedent may embolden platform operators to engage in more extensive censorship, potentially targeting individuals or groups whose views are considered controversial or unpopular by the platform's management (All Things Considered 2017).

Second, Chilling Effect on Speech, This potential for expanding censorship can have a "a chilling effect" on free speech. It means that people may become hesitant to express their opinions freely on those platforms, fearing they might be subject to similar bans or restrictions. In such a climate, diverse viewpoints might be suppressed, leading to a stifling of public discourse (Kakutani 2017).

Third, Threat to Democracy, The concept is that when diverse voices are suppressed, it undermines the core principles of democracy, which rely on open and robust debate. Democracy thrives on the exchange of ideas, and if social media platforms limit this exchange, it could lead to an erosion of democratic values and the emergence of a more homogenized, polarized information environment (Brownstein 2023).

Fourth, Arbitrary Moderation, critics argue that these decisions about who to ban or restrict are often perceived as arbitrary. Without clear and consistent guidelines for moderation, there's a risk that decisions could be influenced by the biases or preferences of platform executives, which would further erode trust in these platforms as neutral and fair spaces (Alizadeh et.al 2022).

Finally, Unintended Consequences, the slippery slope argument highlights that well-intentioned actions like banning Trump can have unintended consequences. It might drive users with extreme or controversial views to alternative platforms that are less regulated, potentially fostering more extreme echo chambers (Roberts 2020).

Alternate Platforms and Echo Chambers

The Trump ban also led to the emergence of alternative platforms that cater to specific ideological groups. This can exacerbate the problem of echo chambers and polarized discourses, as people flock to platforms that align with their views. Discussing the consequences of such fragmentation is essential.

In conclusion, Twitter's suspension of Donald Trump exemplifies the ongoing struggle between free speech principles and content moderation in the digital age. While it raises valid concerns about the power of private platforms and the slippery slope of censorship, it also highlights the need for transparent and consistent guidelines to navigate this complex landscape without compromising demographic values.

List of References

Alizadeh, M, Gilardi, F, Hoes, E, Kluser, KJ, Kubli, M & Marchal, N 2023, 'Content moderation as a political Issue: The Twitter discourse around Trump's ban', Journal of Quantitative Description: Digital Media, 23 September, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://www.fabriziogilardi.org/resources/papers/Content-Moderation-Political-Issue.pdf>.

All Things Considered 2017, 'Does Trump's slippery slope argument about confederate status have merit?', Politics, 16 August, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://www.npr.org/2017/08/16/543973293/does-trumps-slippery-slope-argument-about-confederate-statues-have-merit>.

Brownstein, R 2023, 'Trump's threat to democracy is now systemic', Ideas, 2 August, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/08/donald-trump-indictment-gop-jan-6/674895/>.

Chen, E, Deb, A & Ferrara, E 2021, ‘#Election2020: the first public Twitter dataset on the 2020 US Presidential election’ Journal of Computational Social Science, 2 April, viewed 3 October 2023, <https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42001-021-00117-9>.

Chiaro, AC 2020, 'The logical fallacies of Donald Trump (With video)', Logical Fallacies, 14 October, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://philosophymt.com/a-trumpian-overture-of-logical-fallacies/>.

Davies, A, Donald, B & Gray, M 2023, 'The power of platforms - precarity and place', Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, vol. 16, no. 2, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://academic.oup.com/cjres/article/16/2/245/7176240>.

Gorenc, N 2022, 'Hate speech or free speech: an ethical dilemma?', International Review of Sociology, vol. 32, no. 3, vieewed 4 October 2023. <https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03906701.2022.2133406>.

Kakutani, M 2017, 'Donald Trump's chilling language, and the fearsome power of words', Inauguration 2017, 21 January, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/01/donald-trumps-chilling-language-and-the-power-of-words>.

Roberts, T 2020, 'Trump's legacy may be unintended consequences', President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Cecil Airport in Jacksonville, Florida, 24 September, viewed 4 October 2023, <https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/trumps-legacy-may-be-unintended-consequences>.