Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Social media platforms control online speech through content moderation, raising questions about censorship and First Amendment rights. Traditionally, the First Amendment protects speech from government interference, but private platforms now play a major role in regulating public discourse. This presentation examines how First Amendment principles apply to modern content moderation. By analyzing cases like Murthy v. Missouri and NetChoice v. Griffin, we explore the legal impact of online censorship and the difference between government restrictions and private platform policies. This research looks at the future of constitutional protections and corporate governance of digital spaces, offering insight into the future of free speech in an increasingly platform-driven public sphere.
Faculty Mentor
Sarah Gibson
Recommended Citation
Jones, Ashlen; Lewis, Madaha; Shear, Sophia; and Scoper, Lydia, "Muted or Moderated: The Fight Over Free Speech" (2025). Student Scholar Symposium. 170.
https://digitalcollections.lipscomb.edu/student_scholars_symposium/2025/Full_schedule/170
Included in
Muted or Moderated: The Fight Over Free Speech
Social media platforms control online speech through content moderation, raising questions about censorship and First Amendment rights. Traditionally, the First Amendment protects speech from government interference, but private platforms now play a major role in regulating public discourse. This presentation examines how First Amendment principles apply to modern content moderation. By analyzing cases like Murthy v. Missouri and NetChoice v. Griffin, we explore the legal impact of online censorship and the difference between government restrictions and private platform policies. This research looks at the future of constitutional protections and corporate governance of digital spaces, offering insight into the future of free speech in an increasingly platform-driven public sphere.