Then why does the government tell pretty much all other forms of media that are private companies what to do? There are tons of regulations on print, airwave, and tv media. Why should one form of media a private company not have the same regulations as as all other media?
When you are leasing, purchasing, or holding airwave bandwidth granted from the government then the government has the right to regulate you. I will note that you do not see the government regulating cable channels such as CNN, FOX News, Newsmax, etc. These are private companies which are not using a public resource to broadcast.
Also, there is no irony in the below statement. Okay.....whatever. We are deeply concerned by the blocking of Twitter in Nigeria. Access to the free and #OpenInternet is an essential human right in modern society.
Total bullshit. https://www.fcc.gov/media/program-content-regulations Q: Does the FCC regulate the content of cable programming? A: Cable television system operators generally make their own selection of channels and programs to be distributed to subscribers in response to consumer demands. The Commission does, however, have rules in some areas that are applicable to programming -- called "origination cablecasting" in the rules -- that are subject to the editorial control of the cable system operator. The rules generally do not apply to the content of broadcast channels or to access channels over which the cable system operator has no editorial control. Q: What is the "equal opportunities" rule of political cablecasting? A: Once a cable system allows a legally qualified candidate to use its facilities (by identifiable voice or picture), it must give "equal opportunities" to all other legally qualified candidates for that office to use its facilities. The cable system can not censor the content of the candidate's material in any way, and can not discriminate between candidates in practices, regulations, facilities or services rendered pursuant to the equal opportunities rules. Candidates must submit requests for equal opportunities to the cable system within one week after a rival candidate's first use of the cable system. If the person was not a legally qualified candidate at the time of the rival's first use, he or she may submit a request within one week of the rival's next use of the cable system after he or she becomes a legally qualified candidate.
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/complaints-about-broadcast-advertising Complaints About Broadcast Advertising Español | 繁體中文 | Tagalog | Tiếng Việt | 한국어 The FCC occasionally receives complaints from consumers about broadcast advertising. These complaints concern a wide variety of issues, including: The nature of the products being advertised The timing of certain ads Commercials believed to be indecent or in poor taste False and misleading advertisements Are there laws limiting material that stations can broadcast? Stations are prohibited from broadcasting material that promotes certain lotteries; advertises cigarettes, little cigars or smokeless tobacco products; or perpetuates a fraud. Some advertisements also may violate regulations that fall under the jurisdiction of other federal agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration or the Federal Trade Commission. Additionally, federal laws prohibit or limit obscene, indecent or profane language. Obscene broadcasts are prohibited at all times, while indecent or profane broadcasts are prohibited during certain hours. For more information, see our guide on Obscene, Indecent and Profane Broadcasts. What if I think a specific ad is false or misleading? Broadcasters are responsible for selecting the broadcast material that airs on their stations, including advertisements. The FCC expects broadcasters to be responsible to the community they serve and act with reasonable care to ensure that advertisements aired on their stations are not false or misleading. The FTC has primary responsibility for determining whether specific advertising is false or misleading, and for taking action against the sponsors of such material. You can file a complaint with the FTC online or call toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). Printable Version
You need to understand the difference between access to the Internet --- which allows you to get to private websites. And the websites (many of which are private entities with their own content standards). #OpenInternet is about allowing everyone to access the Internet and not blocking any websites. The Internet should be open and everyone allows to browse to any website. Also a fundamental part of #OpenInternetis that there are no "fast lanes" or "slow lanes" put in place by government or internet providers when providing access to websites -- all websites are treated equal. A government blocking access to the Internet to its citizens violates the concept of a free and #OpenInternet. A private company applying moderation standards to their own website does not.
Once again -- read the words "editorial control of the cable system operator" regarding which channels to include in their cable channel lineup and how to price them. The legally qualified candidate using its facilities only applies to local access channels operated directly by the cable provider. Most cable services currently don't have a local access channel -- I know the Spectrum Cable in our area does not. But if the cable service provider does operate a local access channel then they must provide equal time in political campaigns. However if the local cable provider includes FOX in it lineup but not CNN -- not a problem at all.
The guys here who are complaining about Facebook et al removing harmful and misleading content are mad because they traffic in harmful and misleading content. That’s all there is to this.
FL: "we'll restrict businesses that issue permanent bans" FB's response: "Donnie's banned until after the mid-terms. 2 yrs is not permanent"