When White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked about the new Spotify warning to be added to the platform which will link to a virus information page, she let it known how she and the administration feel:
“This disclaimer is a positive step, but we want every platform to continue doing more to call out mis- and disinformation while also uplifting accurate information.
“Look at the facts, right? You are 16 times more likely to be hospitalized if you’re unvaccinated and 68 times more likely to die than someone who is boosted, if you’re unvaccinated,” she added. “That’s pretty significant. And we think that is something that unquestionably should be the basis of how people are communicating about it.
“Our view is it’s a good step,” Psaki concluded. “It’s a positive step, but there’s more that can be done.”
This didn’t go unnoticed. Republican Candidate for U.S. Congress (FL-10) and Pastor, Dr. Willie J. Montague tweeted:
The WHITE HOUSE is now encouraging Spotify to take “further action” against Joe Rogan’s podcast.
This is no longer a debate about a private company.
This is the WHITE HOUSE telling a private company to police content.
The First Amendment forbids this!
This tweet gets a big, hearty Amen!
But of course, the foolish replies followed, here’s a few:
Rogan and his guests are KILLING PEOPLE by spreading false information.
Pay attention. Encouraging isn’t ordering. There are ALWAYS limits on the use of free speech. That means no misinformation.
Spreading false information isn’t protected by the First Amendment.
And then a couple of great counters:
In reply to the last tweet: Pretty sure it is. CNN and NYT and FOX all do it everyday.
Lastly, Glenn Greenwald pulled out some case law:
There is a long line of clear case law, including from the Supreme Court, holding that the First Amendment’s free speech clause is violated when state officials pressure or coerce private actors to censor for them.
Grandpa Ernie’s Diary are quick takes (and not-so-quick takes) on issues of politics, society, culture and health & disease.
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