Morning Wire Texas Takes on Big Tech | Sunday Extra
Feb 25, 2024
Texas State Senator Bryan Hughes, author of the controversial HB 20, joins the discussion on combating political bias and censorship in big tech. He shares insights into the complexities of regulating social media while protecting free speech. The conversation highlights the frustrations lawmakers face over content moderation and the urgency for legislative reform. With the Supreme Court set to review this landmark bill, Hughes outlines Texas’s potential to lead the charge in content regulation and hold social media companies accountable.
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Social Media as Common Carriers
- HB 20 treats major social media platforms with 50 million+ U.S. users as common carriers.
- This means they can't discriminate based on politics or religion, similar to phone companies.
Transparency in Content Moderation
- HB 20 mandates transparency by requiring platforms to publish content moderation methods.
- This replaces hidden algorithms with clear rules.
Legal Recourse for Deplatforming
- If deplatformed for viewpoint discrimination, users can sue in Texas courts under HB 20.
- Winning plaintiffs get reinstated and legal fees covered.