Is Breastfeeding More Offensive than ISIS?

Probably not, but the terms of agreement for platforms like Facebook and Twitter are more likely to trigger the removal of pictures of a mother breastfeeding than a terrorist organization’s content, according to The Sydney Morning Herald (Hall, 2016, March 2).

Matthew Hall (2016, March 2) reports that a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice has called on social networking sites to be more proactive in shutting down terrorist organizations that are using social media to spread their hateful message. Marie-Helen Maras argues that social media is allowing terrorists to connect with millions of people around the world, which helps with recruitment efforts (Hall, 2016, March 2). Maras points out that the only way these organizations get shut down is if they violate user agreements.

Of course, social media companies strive to provide individuals and groups with open platforms for expression. In a 2011 blog post, co-founder Biz Stone wrote that Twitter’s position on freedom of expression requires them to protect users’ right to speak freely. He acknowledges that there are times where they are required to release information to law enforcement, but they try to notify users before handing information over to authorities.

Social media platforms have undoubtedly enhanced the way people and organizations communicate. But do you think organizations linked to terror have the right to use social media sites to spread their message? Does the First Amendment protect their rights?

Where do you draw the line?

Reference

Hall, M. (2016, March 2). Facebook and Twitter are losing the war against ISIS, expert says Read more: Http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/facebook-and-twitter-are-losing-the-war-against-isis-expert-says-20160301-gn7oef.html#ixzz442gx8XRp Follow us: @smh on Twitter | sydneymorningherald on Facebook. Retrieved March 26, 2016, from http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/facebook-and-twitter-are-losing-the-war-against-isis-expert-says-20160301-gn7oef.html

Stone, B. (2011, January 28). The Tweets Must Flow | Twitter Blogs. Retrieved March 26, 2016, from https://blog.twitter.com/2011/the-tweets-must-flow