May 10th, 2023
In recent years, social networks have become a platform for global communication and the free expression of ideas. However, censorship on these platforms has become increasingly common, especially in cases related to politicians, public figures and media outlets that are controversial either for their content or the way they express their arguments. However, the most dangerous thing about these actions is that we, the users, cannot generate an objective opinion about the act of censorship as we exclusively hear one side of the story.
Censorship of differing opinions is not freedom of opinion (speech). Therefore, it is important to understand that the beauty and nature of human being’s comes from free will; therefore, controlling the narrative, the discourse and with it the collective imaginary is a step to dictatorship.
One of the most notable cases of social media censorship occurred in January 2021, when Twitter and Facebook suspended the accounts of former U.S. President Donald Trump after his social media posts were deemed to incite violence in the assault on Capitol Hill. Some people argued that Trump’s suspension violated their right to free speech, while others argued that platforms had the right to act against incitement to violence.
Another example of social media censorship occurred in 2019, when Instagram deleted the accounts of the Tate brothers, British artists who used the platform to share their artwork that included nudity. Even though most of the images were considered artistic and not pornographic, Instagram removed them for violating its content policies. This case raises the question of art censorship and how “inappropriate” content is defined on social networks. In this case, the Tate brothers were censored for misogyny and months later for alleged sex trafficking. However, if we make a brief analysis, saying that most women are not able to drive properly or have physical deficiencies compared to the average man, is not misogynistic, it is a reality. It is not the same to be a partner of women to make OnlyFans as it is to traffic in sex.
Finally, another example of social media censorship can be found in the way Russian media are treated on Western platforms. In 2020, YouTube suspended the account of RT, the Russian television network, for violating its disinformation policies. Although RT denies that its reports are misinformative, YouTube’s decision raises the question of whether censorship of foreign media is a violation of press freedom and whether platforms should have the power to decide what information is true and what is not. In this regard, the events of the war between Russia and Ukraine, has two culprits, Russia’s past and Ukraine’s present. The Russian past and its interest in dominating Europe led to the creation of NATO. The Ukrainian present, which encompasses a context of corruption and political vacuum, seeking to join NATO by manipulating information about its Russian neighbor.
It is important to note that censorship in social networks is not a simple problem, and that there are many different perspectives on how to address it. On the one hand, social media platforms have a responsibility to protect their users from harmful content, but at the same time, freedom of expression is a fundamental right that must be protected. It is critical that these platforms establish clear and consistent policies that protect users from harmful content without violating their fundamental rights.
Censorship in social networks is a complex problem that affects freedom of expression and the right to information.
Through the examples of Donald Trump, the Tate brothers and the Russian media, we can see how this problem can affect different individuals and groups. It is important that clear and transparent policies are put in place to ensure that fundamental rights are protected while addressing harmful content on social media platforms.
We are not geopolitical experts or top-notch lawyers, but we are people who objectively think and research both sides of the coin. We are against war, but it already exists, and we have to study why it originated, so that future generations do not make the same mistake. Let’s not forget that any war affects us all. We do not believe that Donald Trump is the best thing for the United States of America; however, we do not let some people tell us what to listen to and what not to listen to. We don’t agree with everything the Tate brothers preach, but we do agree that each gender has its own role in this world. We are also in favor of respecting the rights of others because it leads to the peace and prosperity that every human being desires.
