Does the First Amendment allow you to say anything you want, where you want, and how you want to say it? That is the belief of many Americans who have not been taught basic elements of the First Amendment. Several of our participants here at Common Sense Civics and Citizenship believe this and say that I restrict their free speech rights by not allowing the use of prominent politicians’ names or political parties in the comments.
What the First Amendment Actually Says
What is the first word of the First Amendment? Those who have studied it will know that:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
What is the first word of the First Amendment again? CONGRESS
When it comes to speech, the First Amendment prohibits the Government from restricting your speech. In other words, your freedom of speech is violated when Government actions infringe upon these First Amendment rights.
Private Platforms Aren’t the Government
Am I the Government? No. I am a private citizen who pays to sponsor this social media page. Meta, the owner of Facebook, operates a public platform and has content-moderation policies. Since it is a public platform, not a Government one, setting policies on speech on its platform does not violate users’ First Amendment rights.
Why Our Comment Rules Exist
Naming politicians often derails civics learning.
This means that I can have guidelines that restrict the use of highly charged names that quickly (100% of the time!) turn our educational conversations into emotional arguments. You maintain your right to vent, criticize, and have emotional arguments about a politician or political party on your personal page. You have the right to start your own business page. Your First Amendment rights to speak are not violated.
Common Sense Civics and Citizenship is an education/business page. I have the right to focus on civics education to the exclusion of a participant’s need to vent, monopolize the discussion, co-opt it, or “straighten us all out.”
Look up a term such as “First Amendment violations” to learn more about this topic. Scroll down and take a look. It is well worth your time.
Read, learn, and join civil conversations.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. 🇺🇸
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