By Kyle Lee, Website Editor
Hundreds of pro-Trump supporters rallied and stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, forcing senators to postpone the validation of President-elect Joseph R. Biden’s victory. After media outlets and senators asked President Donald J. Trump to disperse the mob, he gave peaceful reassurance to his supporters through a brief speech, although the rioters committed federal offenses by breaking into and destroying government property.
Tech giants Facebook and Twitter removed messages and posts of the president’s approval of the riots to prevent further incites of violence and indefinitely suspended his account. Other sites such as Google, Twitch, Reddit, TikTok and Snapchat have also taken steps to ban or restrict the president’s access to their platforms.
Though I believe that the disruption of the democratic process was inexcusable, I couldn’t help but wonder about the ramifications the censorship caused. What if the companies’ intentions were bad? These companies, especially Twitter, promised a hands-off approach to their platform.
Twitter’s terms and conditions state that they prohibit content that glorifies violent behavior, which according to their website includes “violent acts committed by civilians that resulted in death or serious physical injury” and “attacks carried out by terrorist organizations or violent extremist groups.”
We should use censorship sparingly. People will simply move to other platforms, and continue to spread ignorance and misinformation. Putting misinformation and opposing views out of sight will not remove it, and can result in echo chambers of reaffirming opinions.
Since many weapons, such as hostage gear and explosives, were present at the incident, Trump’s passive support for the protestors, using terms such as “patriots” and “very special,” fall under the glorification of violence and is within the company’s rights to terminate his account.
Trump used his speech to indirectly or directly incite violence. It is impossible to justify in good faith and is not subject to things such as the first amendment; That’s why I do not believe that the suspension of Trump’s accounts is a threat to free speech.