Texas Scorecard by Will Biagini February 27, 2024
The Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments regarding a state law that prohibits major social media platforms from censoring speech they find offensive. Texas defended a state law protecting online free speech at the Supreme Court of the United States.
House Bill 20, adopted in 2021, prohibits social media companies from censoring users in the state based on viewpoint. A technology group called NetChoice subsequently sued Attorney General Ken Paxton.
NetChoice V. Paxton was heard Monday.
Solicitor General Aaron Nielson represented the state. Paul Clement represented NetChoice and argued that restricting big tech from policing free speech is unconstitutional.
Clement also argued that requiring neutrality would result in social media becoming less attractive to users and advertisers due to the possible presence of hosting both anti-suicide and pro-suicide content as well as “pro-Semitic and anti-Semitic” content.
However, Nielson, who argued in defense of the law, stated “This is not the first time that new technology has been used to stifle speech. Telegraphs also discriminated based on viewpoint, prompting a national scandal. Yet, under the platforms’ theory, Western Union was just making editorial choices not to transmit pro-union views.”
More:
https://texasscorecard.com/state/texas-defends-law-protecting-internet-free-speech/
