Elizabeth Warren has a plan for that. And by “that,” I mean a chilling crackdown on free speech in the name of combating disinformation online.
On Wednesday, the 2020 candidate released a plan that would impose criminal and civil penalties on those who are deemed guilty of spreading “disinformation.” In a tweet unveiling the plan, she said, “Disinformation and online foreign interference erode our democracy, and Donald Trump has invited both.” The Massachusetts Democrat continued, “Anyone who seeks to challenge and defeat Donald Trump in the 2020 election must be fully prepared to take this on—and I’ve got a plan to do it.”
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Disinformation and online foreign interference erode our democracy, and Donald Trump has invited both. Anyone who seeks to challenge and defeat Donald Trump in the 2020 election must be fully prepared to take this on—and I've got a plan to do it. https://t.co/ZQ6B1AezBd
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 29, 2020
There is a real issue with people believing fake or misleading information they see online. And it is true that Russian actors exploited this trend in an attempt to sway or at least influence people’s thinking during the 2016 presidential election, even though there’s little evidence they actually made any difference (beyond getting a few thousand clicks on odd Jesus-themed pro-Trump memes and other silly content).
But criminalizing “misinformation”? That’s the stance of a dictator seeking to squash dissent, not a candidate trying to win over voters earnestly.
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Warren’s multipage “disinformation” plan does include some stuff that’s reasonable enough.
For instance, she says she will hold her campaign to high standards and not allow the dissemination of any “fake news” or misinformation. That’s a good thing. (Although, Warren should start by addressing the misinformation she herself has spread throughout her entire campaign about implementing “Medicare for all” without raising taxes on the middle class.) Warren also calls on big tech companies such as Facebook and Twitter to make changes voluntarily (at least for now).
That’s fine, but here’s where things really get wild. In a portion of the plan labeled “Governor actions to address disinformation,” Warren promises to “create civil and criminal penalties for knowingly disseminating false information about when and how to vote in U.S. elections.”
just perfect. pic.twitter.com/Oaog7YHhgd
— Logan Hall (@loganclarkhall) January 29, 2020
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ICE arrests alleged child sex predator, MS-13 gang member in Massachusetts
MSNBC Personalities Panic Over New Attorney General Nominee Pam Bondi: ‘Worse Than … Matt Gaetz’
California doesn’t have the financial capacity for Trump resistance lawsuits
Judge Merchan’s New Ruling in Hush Money Case Called a ‘Massive Trump Win’
Venezuelan migrant arrested in Colorado for allegedly sexually assaulting boss’ 14-year-old daughter: report
Developed nations to pay $250 billion a year in draft climate conference plan
Hochul spearheads plan to pay NYers to switch to green appliances amid state money woes
New York judge grants Trump request to file motion to dismiss charges, cancels sentencing indefinitely
Alabama Executioners Cut Off Killer’s Final Public Words Before State’s Unique Method Is Used for a Third Time
167,000 Pounds of Beef Shipped Nationwide Has Been Urgently Recalled
‘Diddy’ makes 3rd bail attempt after prosecutors allege he blackmailed victims from behind bars
Trump’s team still hasn’t signed transition of power agreements, White House says
Incumbent Iowa Republican says Dem House opponent ‘wasting taxpayer money’ with recount
President-elect Trump announces new choice for attorney general and more top headlines
In other words, Warren wants to criminalize the spread of information the government deems to be false. This unconstitutional proposal not only flies in the face of the First Amendment and core constitutional principles of free expression, but it’s also ripe for abuse.
This isn’t the first time Warren has pursued policies that seemingly ignore the First Amendment. She has openly endorsed a “lobbying tax” that sure looks like a blatantly unconstitutional attempt to stifle a constitutionally protected right. As far as this latest anti-speech proposal goes, it is nearly guaranteed to be used to stifle political speech, even if Warren does say that, for now, it will only apply to disinformation about voting in elections.
Once we open this door, government censorship will inevitably creep beyond just saying elections are on the wrong day or that would-be censors in power will stretch the definition of “election misinformation” to include political predictions and commentary they dislike.
Like it or not, a consequence of free and open debate is that people will have the right to say untrue or misleading things. But the proper response is to answer them in kind and take them on in an open marketplace of ideas, not embrace censorship.
Story cited here.
