Proactive Legislation Or Censorship?
Can U.S. lawmakers learn from Hollywood’s old ratings system and regulate social media companies before other world governments do it for them?
As social media platforms become the primary source of information for millions worldwide, the U.S. faces growing pressure to regulate online content. However, delays in U.S. legislation on free speech, misinformation, and harmful content are leaving the door open for other countries to set global standards.
While U.S. lawmakers are understandably reluctant to tackle the issue of banning speech on the internet — in America — there are already plenty of ways in which speech is already restricted.
While the First Amendment guarantees free speech in the U.S., not all forms of speech are protected. Despite America’s strong cultural emphasis on free expression, certain types of speech and material have long been restricted by law for the sake of public safety, national security, or individual rights. One of the most famous examples of this is the Anarchist’s Cookbook, a controversial book that offers instructions on creating explosives and committing acts of sabotage.
Written in 1971, The Anarchist’s Cookbook has been tied to various criminal activities and violent incidents, raising questions about the limits of free speech. While it was once legally available for…