Donald Trump declares war on social networks

Donald Trump believes they are a victim of a form of political censorship on the part of Twitter. Attended by more than 80 million people on this platform, the us president makes extensive use of the network to communicate directly with Us, without going through the press, that it deems hostile to its policy. He does not want Twitter, managed from San Francisco by a team that hides evil his contempt for his presidency, unable to express themselves freely and to campaign for his re-election in November.

In retaliation, the head of State, the u.s. has asked the Department of commerce, in consultation with the Department of justice, to order the Federal Communications Commission, within 60 days, to change the rules that apply to social networks. He has also promised to pass in the Congress a reform of the law that, since 1996, governs the freedom of words on the social networks.

His goal is unlikely to be achieved because of the constitutional procedures that are being put in place immediately for the block. Nevertheless, it is hoped to make platforms like Twitter and Facebook subject of thousands of lawsuits for censorship, as soon as a user feels unjustly accused of disseminating information that is dubious, false, malicious or likely to mislead the electorate.

First alert on Twitter

This is the first time that Twitter puts in guard against the risk of misinformation associated with some of the messages published on its platform. The american president had stated that the use of the vote by correspondence, as advocated by the democrats to limit the risk of contamination by the Covid-19, would to electoral fraud on a large scale. Judging this assertion dubious, Twitter has affixed under the tweet in the presidential reference to this : "know the facts about voting by mail !".

Plunged in a rage, Donald Trump showed up in the "victim of political activism" by the management of Twitter that it considers to be gained in his opponents democrats. He would have wanted to suspend Twitter. But his lawyers have not "found a legal way to do it," he regretted. This is why, in retaliation, and after having threatened to do so for months, Donald Trump tackles the basic protection afforded to all the social networks since 1996.

platforms not legally responsible

unlike newspapers or television channels, Twitter and Facebook are not legally responsible for content posted by their platforms. In the name of the constitutional protection of freedom of expression, section 230 of the act passed by Congress in 1996 allows any internet user to say on Twitter everything that comes to his mind.

The moderators of the contents of the company of San Francisco are not to be considered as editors or proofreaders, as would the journalists from CNN or the New York Times. This is the rest that in recent years, and at the request of the elected representatives of the most democratic countries, as Twitter and Facebook began to block the content overtly violent, racist, or manipulators.

The revelations of efforts of manipulation of the american public on the network by the Russian secret services during the campaign of 2016, have shocked Americans. But the way the legal correct this risk has not yet been found in Washington.

article 230 of The " Communications Decency Act " question

The response of Twitter and Facebook to the frontal attack the White House on their main legal umbrella was not long in coming. Twitter denounces "an approach that is reactionary and policy of the act... and unilateral attempts to crop it, which threaten the future of the freedom of expression online". Facebook, who feels indirectly referred to, considers that the limitations laid down in article 230 "restrict more (...) freedom of speech online, and would penalize companies who choose to allow controversial opinions and would encourage platforms to censor everything that might offend someone".

so far, the approach of Donald Trump, in addition to its immediate effect of polarization of the opinion in full presidential campaign, poses a real problem for social networks. In effect, the democrats also want to change the article 230 of the "Communications Decency Act". Worried of the growing influence of networks on public opinion, and frustrated by the fact that the traditional press - generally pro-democrat, is now marginalized in the public debate, they also seek to compel the giants of the digital control content that they broadcast.

The editorial team conseilleDonald Trump opens hostilities against the networks sociauxTrump threat to "regulate strongly," or even "close" networks sociauxTwitter seeks to combat the misinformation conveyed by figures publiquesSujetsTwitterFacebookDonald Trump2 commentairesRamsesXle 29/05/2020 at 08:38 am

War of propaganda and control of the media. This is beautiful the USA!!! What an example ! What a president !

Maptitereinele 29/05/2020 at 08:25

It would be easier and shorter to say against who or what Donald is not at war. They show a lack of psychiatrists in the US ?

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