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In the history of the United States, there has never been a time when Americans have been less free to express their thoughts and opinions. Much of this can be attributed to social media giants like Facebook, YouTube, and Google, who actively censor political views they disagree with.
Fortunately, Justice Clarence Thomas is stepping up to confront these tech giants.
While phone companies like AT&T or Sprint cannot shut down accounts based on political views, and American Airlines cannot deny a ticket to someone who questions climate change or COVID lockdowns due to laws protecting against such discrimination, these same principles should apply to social media platforms. Since 2021, Thomas has been advocating against Big Tech censorship, arguing that these companies should be required to serve all customers, just like phone companies, utilities, and public accommodations.
On September 29, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it will rule on state laws enacted by Florida and Texas that prohibit tech giants from canceling users based on their political views. We can expect Thomas to lead a majority of the justices in concluding that internet censorship is incompatible with democracy and must be stopped.
If the high court rules against censorship, it will strike a powerful blow against Big Tech tyranny just in the nick of time. Hallelujah!
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Currently, social media platforms have the freedom to censor content, taking down posts and deplatforming users whose views they disagree with. They even silenced a former president of the United States. Furthermore, they bury information to make it difficult to find through Google searches.
It is important to note that Big Tech censorship impacts a far greater number of people than instances of colleges silencing dissent or workplaces and schools indoctrinating individuals.
The anti-censorship law in Texas is designed to safeguard the public from this loss of freedom. The law still allows the removal of items that are pornographic, incite violence, or promote the sexual exploitation of children, which are all genuinely harmful.
In defense of Texas’ law, the state’s attorney general, Ken Paxton, specifically referenced Thomas’ argument.
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The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law, determining that corporations do not possess a “right to muzzle speech.”
However, the 11th Circuit struck down a similar law in Florida, contending that Big Tech platforms have the same First Amendment rights as newspapers, allowing them to selectively choose which views to promote.
The Supreme Court is now poised to resolve these conflicting decisions. The court will ultimately decide who is protected under the First Amendment – the tech giants claiming to be like newspapers, or the millions of social media users. Thomas is expected to persuade a majority of the justices that an uncensored internet is imperative for democracy.
In a 2021 concurring opinion, Thomas suggested that Congress may hold the solution by amending Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. However, as long as Democrats control either house of Congress, it is unlikely that any action will be taken.
Most Democrats in Congress are actually supportive of increased censorship, turning into the anti-free speech party. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) openly expressed his desire for tech executives to censor “climate denialism,” while Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) urged them to engage in more “content modification” and eliminate “disinformation” during future elections.
When Blumenthal refers to “content modification,” it is essentially a euphemism for silencing opposing viewpoints and, in essence, attempting to manipulate election outcomes.
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The term “disinformation” can be misleading. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes once explained that the best way to test the truth of any statement is to see if it withstands the marketplace of ideas. Truth will ultimately prevail.
Poor ideas, falsehoods, and unsuccessful politicians like President Joe Biden rely on censorship to survive.
Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas speaks at the Heritage Foundation on Oct. 21, 2021, in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
In the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice under President Biden has sided with Big Tech, opposing the public’s right to free expression. This comes as no surprise considering that Biden’s 2020 election victory may have been influenced by Big Tech’s swift action to suppress the New York Post’s report on Hunter Biden’s laptop.
Since taking office, Joe Biden has established a widespread censorship apparatus, with the White House, FBI, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other government agencies colluding with Big Tech to limit what can be seen and said. Fortunately, Elon Musk’s company X, formerly known as Twitter, has stood against this.
The next move rests with the Supreme Court, which will hear oral arguments and deliver a ruling early in 2024.
We can count on Thomas’ anti-censorship stance to prevail. As a result, Americans will experience a greater degree of freedom. Thank you, Justice Thomas.
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