A group of 23 states, all led by Democrats with California taking the lead, is calling on the Supreme Court to reverse a far-reaching decision that prevented the government from working with social media platforms to censor American citizens. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and his colleagues from other blue states have filed a brief in support of President Biden’s Justice Department in the case of Missouri v. Biden, which was initiated by Republican officials from Missouri and Louisiana. The lawsuit claimed that government officials in influential positions colluded with major social media companies to suppress speech on various topics, such as Hunter Biden’s laptop, the origins of COVID-19, and the effectiveness of face masks.
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the First Amendment may have been violated by administration officials. As a result, a preliminary injunction was issued, preventing the government from engaging in communication with Big Tech platforms regarding user content. Bonta emphasized that if this decision is upheld, it could hinder government agencies from effectively collaborating with the private sector to protect the public online. He highlighted the significance of social media as a vital source of news and information across the country. Moreover, he expressed concerns about the potential impact of the broad scope of the 5th Circuit’s ruling on public health and safety initiatives.
Judge Terry A. Doughty expressed concern about the allegations made by the Republican attorneys general in a separate ruling. He highlighted the potential impact of the case on free speech in the United States, stating that it could constitute a significant assault. Doughty criticized the defendants for allegedly disregarding the protection of free speech provided by the First Amendment while trying to suppress what they considered to be disinformation.
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