In this captivating discussion, Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a political and women's rights activist, Nadine Strossen, a civil liberties champion and former ACLU president, and James Bosworth, a political risk expert, tackle the explosive topic of Big Tech's decision to deplatform Donald Trump. They explore the fine line between censorship and accountability, the implications for free speech in a digital age, and the potential risks to democracy posed by such actions. Their diverse viewpoints ignite a thought-provoking debate about the responsibilities of social media in shaping public discourse.
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Trump's Social Media Privilege
Donald Trump's use of social media, particularly Twitter, was problematic due to his divisive rhetoric and spread of disinformation.
Social media companies initially turned a blind eye to his behavior due to his presidential status, granting him privileges not afforded to ordinary users.
insights INSIGHT
Tech Giants' Unchecked Power
Deplatforming Trump sets a dangerous precedent, empowering tech giants like Zuckerberg and Dorsey with unchecked control over public discourse.
This unchecked power poses a greater threat to democracy than Trump's actions, as it bypasses constitutional and political checks.
insights INSIGHT
Deplatforming as Crime Prevention
Donald Trump's deplatforming was not an act of censorship but a response to criminal activity, specifically inciting violence.
Tech platforms have a responsibility to prevent crimes, especially those involving violence, regardless of the perpetrator's political status.
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This book is an uncompromising call to dismantle racism and white supremacy, emphasizing the need for meaningful anti-racism action. It explores themes such as intersectional feminism, systemic racism, and the silencing of Black voices. Written during the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, it challenges readers to confront and change the narrative around Black identity.
Hate
Mark Weissman
The Testaments
Margaret Atwood
Set 15 years after the events of 'The Handmaid’s Tale', 'The Testaments' is narrated by three women: Aunt Lydia, Agnes, and Daisy. The novel delves into the inner workings of Gilead, revealing the complexities of its theocratic regime and the resistance against it. Aunt Lydia, a former judge turned Aunt, secretly works against Gilead from within, while Agnes and Daisy become embroiled in a plot to topple the regime. The story is presented through a manuscript and testimonies, culminating in a metafictional epilogue that discusses the authenticity and impact of these accounts in a future where Gilead has fallen.
The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood
The novel is set in a near-future New England in the Republic of Gilead, a patriarchal, totalitarian state that has overthrown the United States government. Offred, the narrator, is one of the 'Handmaids', women who are forcibly assigned to produce children for the ruling class, known as 'Commanders'. The story explores themes of powerless women, loss of female agency and individuality, and the suppression of women's reproductive rights. Offred's life is marked by her restrictive routine, her memories of her past life, and her interactions with the Commander, his wife Serena Joy, and other Handmaids, including her friend Ofglen who is part of an underground resistance movement. The novel is a scathing satire, an ominous warning, and a tour de force of narrative suspense[3][4][5].
Shortly after a pro Trump mob stormed the Capitol on January 6th - Big Tech unplugged the President. For years he’d used social media to communicate directly with his supporters. Even on the day, as lawmakers in the Capitol scurried to find places of safety during the siege, Trump posted: ‘STOP THE STEAL’, and proclaimed ‘You will never take back our country with weakness.’ Then, came the crack down. Reddit removed the “DonaldTrump subreddit”. YouTube tightened its policy on posting videos, that called the outcome of the election into doubt. TikTok took down posts with hashtags like #stormthecapitol. Facebook suspended Trump’s account indefinitely, and Twitter, the former President’s favoured form of communication, took his account away permanently.
So did Big Tech make the right decision? And was this censorship or accountability?
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, James Bosworth, Nadine Strossen and Freddie Sayers debate.
The event was chaired by Manveen Rana host the of Stories of Our Times podcast which you can listen to here: https://play.acast.com/s/storiesofourtimes
You can order Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu's new book here: https://www.primrosehillbooks.com/product/this-is-why-i-resist-dont-define-my-black-identity-dr-shola-mos-shogbamimu/
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