A deep look at the benefits of content moderation in open forums, and how it can support free speech by creating spaces where more people feel free to talk
I highly recommend this essay from @mmasnick on how content moderation actually *enables* free speech. I've found it's always better to use constructive framing. You're not “banning” speech; you're making sure more people can speak in the first place. https://www.techdirt.com/...…
This by @mmasnick is very good. As I said on the Geekout Twitter Space on Friday, *actual* town squares are moderated (by laws and bylaws that control behaviour), so all this talk of an ideal “public town square” online is ridiculously simplistic. https://www.techdirt.com/...
Anyone who's held a town hall, taught a class, moderated a panel, or hosted a book club or union meeting knows this. Great teachers create healthy forums for speech by setting & maintaining norms. Deft moderation prevents participation from being chilled. https://digiphile.info/.…
This framing is powerful. Moderation, when done right, encourages free speech. Great piece, thanks to @benwhitelaw for sharing originally. https://www.techdirt.com/... https://twitter.com/...
“Content moderation clearly actually enables more free speech [because] when you have a totally freeform venue for free speech, it makes many people hold back and not join in.” https://www.techdirt.com/...
saving this for anytime i need to explain why “free speech” and “blocking your dumb comment” aren't actually in conflict with each other https://www.techdirt.com/...
A site that doesn't remove spam, threats, etc. will not be a place normal people will want to keep visiting and sharing thoughts ...period. https://twitter.com/...
“In other words, the concept of free speech should support a diversity of communities — not all speech on every community (or any particular community). And content moderation is what makes that possible.” https://twitter.com/...
Content moderation is fundamental to freedom of expression for the same reason that broadcast regulation is: it makes the medium work. It's a simple concept, but one that seems to fly over the heads of many self-appointed “free speech champions”. https://www.techdirt.com/...
I assume this post, explaining why content moderation actually does a hell of a lot more to “support the principles of free speech” than any unmoderated space would be... won't be controversial at all. Nope. Not at all. https://t.co/ByvRv4QcTg