Running head: ACADEMIC WRITING 1

Academic Writing

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The existence of social media platforms like the twitter, Facebook and Instagram has

facilitated individuals from different parts of the world to share their opinions. The content

posted on these platforms may lead to misinformation and in this regard, the social media

platforms have parodically been held liable for not controlling spread of such information.

The social media companies argue that their platforms are neutral and provide an

environment for everyone to share their opinions which may have positive or negative

implications. As opposed to the traditional methodologies of sharing opinions, the

contemporary social media platforms have substantiated sharing of extremists views that

make these platforms to be marketplaces of ideas. A report by Berger states that twitter and

Facebook have been keener or removing content affiliated with the pro-ISIS and in this light,

twitter saw accounts of neo-Nazis and the white nationalists grow by a whooping 600% since

the year 2012.

The social media platforms like Facebook and twitter claim that they are not the

arbiters of what should be true in regard to posting content on their platforms. Facebook has

implemented policies meant to police its online community but Galvin in his 2016 book

states that the firm should do more by going after individuals who are behind the posted fake

news. According to twitter and Facebook, their social media platforms offer environment for

their users to post their ideas. Galvin in his 2016 book explains that the platforms can’t be

arbiters of what should be true.

Social media platforms like Facebook and twitter cannot held liable for any

misinformation of fake news because they can’t control what is posted on their platforms.

The platforms like Facebook have binding terms (Galvin, 2016) that regulate how people post

their ideas. Facebook and twitter tried removing pro-ISIS information from their platforms

when white nationals and the neo-Nazis’ twitter accounts had significant number of new
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users (Galvin, 2016). Twitter and Facebook cannot control their users by taking down

accounts because this case explains how twitter witnessed unexpected new account openings.

The New York times by Galvin explains the government has a substantial role in

policing the fake news posted on social media platform. The source explains that government

has the capacity to shape the information for destructive or constructive purposes and Galvin

gives example by showing how Germany put pressure on Facebook so that the xenophobic

and abusive statements can be targeted. A 2016 source by Farida explains how social media

comments should be protected by the freedom of speech. The government, which is entitled

to lead a nation should enable everyone to have freedom of speech by not shaping

information shared on social media for its interests or destructive purposes. Farida in Quora,

2016 explains that the social media platform is for everyone to express their speech and

opinions. A substantial step has been taken by the government to facilitate usage of social

media platforms unite everyone

Galvin states in his source that the social platforms have become democratized due to

sharing of information related to hate speech, fake news and the extremist content. The

source warns social media users to be careful on how they receive the information which is

meant to manipulate them. The source explains that critical thinking, which plays a crucial

role on running away from the truth has substantiated the instances that facilitate posting of

information like hate speech which can substantially manipulate the social media usage.

Ian Farida states on the 2016 source that a specific freedom of speech should not prevent

another individual from sharing their opinions. Telling the online community to avoid

interacting with specific ideas and opinions of other individuals means denying their freedom

of expression as per Farida’s description. Freedom of speech can only be restricted when

used for violence purposes (Farida, 2016). using freedom of speech to express opinions is
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important as long as violence such as threatening is not expressed. Expressing hate speech is

important in instances where certain individuals violate rights of others.

Social media platforms like Facebook and twitter are there to substantiate individuals to

share their opinions. Freedom of speech should not be guaranteed to specific people while

leaving those of contrary opinions. According to Farida’s sentiments, this argument is

relevant because social media users have the freedom to express their opinions on different

posts except to instances where they are mobilized to indulge in violence.

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References

Nicholas A. Galvin (2016). Facebook and twitter users must be more critical of content.

English 2 block

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Ian Farida. (2016) Should social media speech be protected by free speech. English 2 block

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