WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) — U.S. Supreme Court seems likely to side with the Biden administration in a dispute with states regarding how the federal government can combat controversial social media posts.
Justices seemed skeptical during nearly two hours of arguments that a lawyer for Louisiana, Missouri and other parties presented accusing officials in the administration of leaning on social media platforms to squelch conservative points of view.
Lower courts have sided with the states, but the Supreme Court blocked those rulings as it considers the topic.
Several justices said they are concerned that common interaction between government officials and the platforms could be affected by a ruling for the states.
States argue that White House communications staffers, the surgeon general, FBI and the U.S. cybersecurity agency are among those who coerced changes in online content on social media platforms.
The administration said states “still have not identified any instance in which any government official sought to coerce a platform’s editorial decisions with a threat of adverse government action,” wrote Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer.
Social media companies are not involved in the case.
Free speech advocates say the court should use the case to draw an appropriate line between the government’s acceptable use of the bully pulpit and coercive threats to free speech.
Follow NEWSnet on Facebook and X platform to get our headlines in your social feeds.
Copyright 2024 NEWSnet and The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Leave a Comment