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Censorship by major social media sites

In the news today is the problem of censorship in New Zealand, of a huge amount of disgusting material that is illegal to own in this country. Somehow, I'm not too bothered about this. However, what is far more concerning is the censorship of Christian content on the major social media network sites.

The internet is having the same effect on the modern world that the old Roman roads had on the ancient - it is the means through which a common, civilised view of the world can be spread. In the realm of competing ideas, if one idea, the most important and vital idea is stifled, then the internet will not fulfil it's full potential. It becomes a road of dead-ends, hiding inaccessible cities of wonders.
MANASSAS, VA, September 21, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A new study has found that Google and other major social media sites such as Facebook have “actively” censored Christian and conservative viewpoints.

The first report, conducted by National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) and the American Center for Law and Justice, examined the policies and practices of several major Internet-interactive “new media” communications platforms and service providers, including Apple and its iTunes App Store, Facebook, Google, and others.
Many of the top social media sites have been found to be "actively" censoring Christian viewpoints.

The study found that some of the new media technology companies have outright banned Christian content, and that all social media sites, except Twitter, have speech policies more restrictive than the free speech rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.

According to the study, seven of the major social media sites have banned “hate speech,” a term that the study authors point out “is often applied in the culture to stifle Christian communicators.”

The study authors also found that some of the media companies have been responsive to demands by pressure groups calling for censorship of conservative or Christian viewpoints.

The study notes that when Google established new guidelines for its “Google for Non-Profits” in March 2011, it refused to list “churches and other faith groups” that consider “religion or sexual orientation in hiring practices.” Christian churches that have applied for the suite of Google tools geared at non-profits have been rejected.

It's early days, yet. But for how much longer will even this site be allowed to exist?

Related link: Facebook, Google, social media sites ‘actively’ censor Christian content: study

Comments

  1. The study found that some of the new media technology companies have outright banned Christian content, and that all social media sites, except Twitter, have speech policies more restrictive than the free speech rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.

    This is not at all unusual in the provision of commercial services. For example, you are at liberty to write a letter to the editor of the New York Times; they are under no obligation to publish it, and that does not infinge the first ammendment.

    The study notes that when Google established new guidelines for its “Google for Non-Profits” in March 2011, it refused to list “churches and other faith groups” that consider “religion or sexual orientation in hiring practices.” Christian churches that have applied for the suite of Google tools geared at non-profits have been rejected.

    Hang on, first you complain the (US) constitutional rights are being subverted, now YOU want to subvert them in your cause.

    Why should churches or other faith groups be exempt from non discrimination laws?

    google is simply upholding the law.

    ReplyDelete

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