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.”
‘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
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett Screams Anti-White Rant During Hearing
Russia’s Chilling Trade for North Korean Troops Revealed, South Korea Warns
PA Education Department agrees to cancel requirement for teachers to adopt guidelines deemed ‘woke’
Should women serve in combat? Military experts weigh in
Colorado dentist’s murder trial put on hold after defense ‘suddenly quit’ prior to jury selection
How 80-year-old crosswording juror caused a mistrial in Florida Home depot murder case
Matt Gaetz is out as attorney general, not clear if he can return to House next year
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston says Trump’s mass migrant deportations will create ‘Tiananmen Square moment’
Trump’s Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth ‘will get confirmed’ despite sexual assault allegations
Tren de Aragua Gangster Accused of Robbing One of Alvin Bragg’s Assistant DAs
Arrest made in New York City tourist face slashing after mom reports son to police
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.
‘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
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett Screams Anti-White Rant During Hearing
Russia’s Chilling Trade for North Korean Troops Revealed, South Korea Warns
PA Education Department agrees to cancel requirement for teachers to adopt guidelines deemed ‘woke’
Should women serve in combat? Military experts weigh in
Colorado dentist’s murder trial put on hold after defense ‘suddenly quit’ prior to jury selection
How 80-year-old crosswording juror caused a mistrial in Florida Home depot murder case
Matt Gaetz is out as attorney general, not clear if he can return to House next year
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston says Trump’s mass migrant deportations will create ‘Tiananmen Square moment’
Trump’s Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth ‘will get confirmed’ despite sexual assault allegations
Tren de Aragua Gangster Accused of Robbing One of Alvin Bragg’s Assistant DAs
Arrest made in New York City tourist face slashing after mom reports son to police
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
‘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
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett Screams Anti-White Rant During Hearing
Russia’s Chilling Trade for North Korean Troops Revealed, South Korea Warns
PA Education Department agrees to cancel requirement for teachers to adopt guidelines deemed ‘woke’
Should women serve in combat? Military experts weigh in
Colorado dentist’s murder trial put on hold after defense ‘suddenly quit’ prior to jury selection
How 80-year-old crosswording juror caused a mistrial in Florida Home depot murder case
Matt Gaetz is out as attorney general, not clear if he can return to House next year
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston says Trump’s mass migrant deportations will create ‘Tiananmen Square moment’
Trump’s Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth ‘will get confirmed’ despite sexual assault allegations
Tren de Aragua Gangster Accused of Robbing One of Alvin Bragg’s Assistant DAs
Arrest made in New York City tourist face slashing after mom reports son to police
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.
