Facebook, free expression and the power of a leak

SOCIAL media platforms aren't bound by the First Amendment, so it's important to understand their user-speech policies.

The First Amendment protects our right to use social networks like Facebook and Twitter, the Supreme Court said last week; the decision, which overturned a North Carolina law barring sex offenders from social networks, called social media "one of the most important places" for the exchange of views. It is a reminder of the role such networks play in our speech, access to information and, consequently, our democracy.

The government cannot block people from social media, but these private platforms can. So although Facebook recently updated its mission statement to pledge that it will give "people the power to build community and bring the world closer together", it also says in its mission statement that it is committed to removing "bad actors and their content quickly to keep a positive and safe environment".