The Institute for Free Speech released the following statement in response to today’s speech by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg at Georgetown University on the importance of protecting free expression.
“Good for Mark Zuckerberg for speaking out for free speech. He’s right to stand up to politicians who want Facebook to censor speech they don’t like,” said Institute for Free Speech President David Keating.
“Social media has become a Fifth Estate that is a vital tool to hold government accountable. Facebook and other online platforms should embrace free speech and reject calls from Washington to try to control debate. Americans deserve to judge for themselves the statements made by politicians.
“Overall, Zuckerberg’s speech was a strong defense of free expression, but Facebook has a long way to go on the details. It backed a Maryland law that a federal court found violated the First Amendment. It continues to back other legislation that will harm free expression. And its moderation policies are still too restrictive and need improvement,” Keating said
