The U.S. government is providing a handy new service for us. We no longer need to worry about what to say and think! It is well-established, however, that the First Amendment prohibits the government from forcing private companies to censor.
I would like to think that the ACLU will file suit tomorrow to crush this obvious violation of the First Amendment, but I have no confidence that that will happen. And beware: Censorship is a potent narcotic that is difficult for governments to quit. Republicans are undoubtedly licking their chops now, waiting for their chance.
“. . . the First Amendment prohibits the government from forcing private companies to censor.”
Only when obeyed and enforced.
There apparently needs to be an official acceptable version of COVID issues and FB is working with the federal government to make sure conflicting information is censored by FB. This, from a government that has told people A) No need to wear masks, B) There was no lab leak, C) It is not safe to walk around outside without a mask, D) COVID is no worse than the flu (Asserted by President Trump) and E) COVID is spread by surface contact.
“WH’s Psaki: “We’re Flagging Problematic Posts For Facebook That Spread Disinformation” https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2021/07/15/psaki_were_flagging_problematic_posts_for_facebook_that_spread_disinformation.html
“White House press secretary Jen Psaki revealed at a press briefing on Thursday that the White House is working in coordination with Facebook to flag “problematic” posts that spread “disinformation” about the COVID-19 vaccine.”
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-u-s-pandemic-response-went-wrong-and-what-went-right-during-a-year-of-covid/