Jen Psaki Decries the ‘Harm’ and ‘Misinformation’ of Free Twitter, but America Was Founded on Our Right to Be Wrong – Opinion

As you’ve likely heard, Twitter has formally accepted free-speech absolutist Elon Musk’s bid.

You might have noticed a bit more of a rueful response from the Left.

This is a live shot from Twitter Headquarters at the moment pic.twitter.com/XceYVa0VLl

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 25, 2022

The White House is also worried. During Monday’s briefing, Press Secretary Jen Psaki waxed on the potential damage a more permissive platform could do:

“[N]o matter who owns or runs Twitter, the President has long been concerned about the power of large social media platforms — the power they have over our every day lives. He has repeatedly argued that technology platforms should be held responsible for any harms they do. … We’ve long talked about — and the President has long talked about — his concerns about the power of social platforms including Twitter and others to spread misinformation, disinformation, the need for these platforms to be held accountable.”

Psaki @ElonMusk buying Twitter: “I’m not going comment on a specific transaction…[T]he President…has long argued that tech platforms must be held accountable for the harms they cause…In terms of…hypothetical policies…I’m just not going to speak to that[.]” pic.twitter.com/p8C48AJWd5

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) April 25, 2022

Psaki on Musk buying Twitter: “[O]These concerns aren’t new. We’ve long talked about and the President has long talked about his concerns about the power of social platforms, including Twitter…to spread misinformation, disinformation, the need for [them] to be held accountable.” pic.twitter.com/clfzPEWcWA

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) April 25, 2022

A fundamental question remains, however: Are social media apps publisher or open-source arenas?

They certainly present themselves as the latter, so assuming that’s the intent: Jen’s comments highlight a profound change in American discourse and the idea of America itself.

When it comes to “concern,” we seem perpetually surrounded by warnings of “harm.” Of “hate speech.” Of “misinformation” and “disinformation.” Of even “malinformation” — information which is true but might cause “harm.”

These are all counterproductive to liberty-based nations. The founding fathers didn’t intend us to be free from the “harm” of ideas — whether or not they be correct. The “harm” toward which the country’s inception was aimed was that of restriction.

Our societal values are in decline.

As we invert what was an increasingly colorblind culture to create one that’s again segregated, we’re pulling the plug on the notion that free speech itself is a virtue. This notion was once taught at schools. Now they are learning the opposite.

Strange though it may sound, regarding private citizens and their discussions, “misinformation” is one of the pillars of the United States — not false data itself, but Americans’ freedom to say what they believe, whether accurate or not.

Should social media be the only way to communicate? Many of the leaders in this country disagree.

They are not the only ones who follow them.

If you are able to speak freely in a group of people, even on the most basic scale, that is what you need. That isn’t to suggest your words will be consequence-free; but you should be the one selecting every syllable. If you’re unable to utter your own thoughts, that strikes me as great reason for concern.

That simple principle doesn’t appear so appreciated anymore. It has become a fear-mongering mantra for an entire generation.

We end up with millions of people mortified by Twitter’s lack of moderation. And their fear is being stoked by talk of “harm” at the national level.

In the past, leaders may have expressed concern over a shutdown of private expression in order to support a preferred political narrative — even if that narrative happened to be right.

Many people believed that horse shampoo would cure baldness years ago. The American daily discourse continued in this manner. They would soon be expelled from the market for misinformation.

It’s a new world; whether it’s less harmful is debatable. Whether it’s less free isn’t as much.

-ALEX

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