Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Justice Ketanji Jackson Says 1st Amendment Is ‘Hamstringing The Government’ In Efforts To Censor Speech


Justice Ketanji Jackson Says 1st Amendment Is 'Hamstringing The Government' In Efforts To Censor Speech

bswise CC0 1.0 DEED, via Flickr, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's remarks on Monday regarding the 1st Amendment in the context of the Murthy v. Missouri case have sparked backlash among Trump supporters.

During Monday's proceedings, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case initiated by two Republican attorneys general from Louisiana and Missouri, along with five social media users.

They accused the Biden administration of exerting undue pressure on social media platforms to remove misinformation, arguing that such content moderation constituted censorship and violated their First Amendment rights.

The outcome of this case, along with others concerning social media, is anticipated to have significant implications as it could establish standards for free speech in the digital era.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson expressed skepticism about a ruling that would broadly restrict the government's interactions with social media platforms. She raised concerns about potentially “hamstringing” officials' ability to communicate with platforms, particularly in addressing issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The focus of the justices' inquiries centered on defining coercion and assessing Missouri's standing to bring the case. For Justice Jackson, the central issue was whether, under certain heightened circumstances, the government should have the authority to suppress speech.

Following Jackson's remarks, some MAGA supporters voiced their apprehensions on X, regarding her stance on the First Amendment.

Republican representative Dan Bishop of North Carolina commented on X, describing Jackson's comments as “chilling.”

“This is the most horrifying thing I've ever heard from a Supreme Court Justice,” wrote the popular account named End Wokeness. “Ketanji Brown-Jackson is concerned that the First Amendment is making it harder for the government to censor speech.”

“Color me shocked that the same Justice who doesn't know what a woman is doesn't know what the First Amendment is either,” Turning Point USA founder and president Charlie Kirk lamented.

Republican Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio said, “This is scary. As Justice Brandeis said, we need 'more speech, not enforced silence.' But today's Left doesn't see it that way.”

Jackson's viewpoint suggests that the government may leverage a crisis or major event to limit Americans' free speech rights when it deems such speech unsafe.

This argument has been raised in response to allegations of the Biden administration's efforts to suppress online speech, ranging from Covid-related information to the controversy surrounding Hunter Biden's laptop and the outcome of the 2020 election.

Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.


Source link