Final Report Blog Post: Modern day Censorship in social media

With the enactment of the first amendment we were given freedom of speech and press, but these protections are not absolute.

“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.” First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution passed by Congress September 25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791.

Seemingly now in the rise of technology more and more information is readily available to its users around the world. Particularly through the use of social medias like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and recently the explosion of Tik Tok. These are all platforms that typically younger people use and are often a significant portion of their lives. The youth revolve around a world of constant consumption of media, likes, and shares. 

As a user of this media I observe what has been increasingly happening in the trends of these platforms. People feel the need to document every encounter they have and be praised through likes and comments. They post content for their following and receive positive feedback from them.

But what happens when a certain following stumbles upon something they don't agree on?
Increasingly the reactions I have observed is that of a cancel culture.

 "Cancel culture refers to the popular practice of withdrawing support for (canceling) public figures and companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive. Cancel culture is generally discussed as being performed on social media in the form of group shaming."

when you see something you don't agree with many times people take to social media to call out what they seem to think is wrong in the hopes of a public backing in an attempt to shame whatever it may be.

Instead of allowing people to share their opinion on a certain topic or idea, that can produce a public discourse, many choose to attack and shame them for these ideas.

This does not allow many to express themselves and what they believe in and instead provides a hostile environment towards them. Although you may not agree with what someone says does this allow you to silence them?

The government doesn't enforce freedom of speech when it comes to social media and what is produced within them. So who polices the content that we receive?

In a sense it is us. Everyone who uses these medias and comments on posts. We can have influence on what people post and control the ideas that are spread. Given that we have this influence should we be mindful on how it affects others? The answer to this, I believe, is absolutely yes. 

Instead of creating a cancel culture within the media we should be encouraging everyone to express there ideas. We should think twice about leaving a comment out of hate and instead express why you disagree with their idea. The world does not revolve around you solely and once you understand someone else's perspective you may come to agree with them, and if not, at least you'll understand why they think the way they do.


Who decides what is right and what is wrong?
What is hate speech and who is directly affected by it?
Does social media promote an environment of cancel culture?
Is censorship good at times?


Sources:
https://www.dictionary.com/e/pop-culture/cancel-culture/
https://archives.cjr.org/cover_story/21st_century_censorship.php
https://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/social-clashes-digital-free-speech

Comment links:

https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2020/05/so-whats-next.html?showComment=
1588711153826#c7668415559049621547

https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2020/05/jean-paul-sartre-existentialism-is.html?
showComment=1588711703234#c2866650669119614885

Runs:
total runs post spring break: 10 runs

Section #6
Miguel Angel