First Amendment Rights in the Media
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Advisor
Thomas Loikith
Access Type
Event
Start Date
26-4-2024 12:45 PM
End Date
26-4-2024 1:44 PM
Description
The Internet and social media have expanded the way in which people communicate with each other. Unfortunately, social media has become a way through which people spread false information, conspiracy theories and hate speech. There are many examples of social media being used to disseminate falsehoods leading to political issues, violence, and injury or death. How should society balance the right to free speech protected by the First Amendment with the right to be protected against damages and a political decline resulting from the use of social media to spread false information? Should there be an exception from the First Amendment to restrict use of social media to disseminate false information? This is a complex problem that requires the use of interdisciplinary research. Using law and political science, I relied on qualitative research methods to find and analyze scholarly and other sources related to the issue. I seek common ground between relevant disciplinary insights and then integrate those insights to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the issue. That leads to suggested resolutions of the problem. I have not yet completed my research. I tentatively conclude, however, that a new exception to the First Amendment for false information spread through social media should be recognized. While a strong right to freedom of speech is a bedrock of American civil liberties, the right to be protected against harm caused by false information disseminated on social media is also strong, and a balance between the two can and should be achieved.
First Amendment Rights in the Media
The Internet and social media have expanded the way in which people communicate with each other. Unfortunately, social media has become a way through which people spread false information, conspiracy theories and hate speech. There are many examples of social media being used to disseminate falsehoods leading to political issues, violence, and injury or death. How should society balance the right to free speech protected by the First Amendment with the right to be protected against damages and a political decline resulting from the use of social media to spread false information? Should there be an exception from the First Amendment to restrict use of social media to disseminate false information? This is a complex problem that requires the use of interdisciplinary research. Using law and political science, I relied on qualitative research methods to find and analyze scholarly and other sources related to the issue. I seek common ground between relevant disciplinary insights and then integrate those insights to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the issue. That leads to suggested resolutions of the problem. I have not yet completed my research. I tentatively conclude, however, that a new exception to the First Amendment for false information spread through social media should be recognized. While a strong right to freedom of speech is a bedrock of American civil liberties, the right to be protected against harm caused by false information disseminated on social media is also strong, and a balance between the two can and should be achieved.