Trump signs decree targeting social media operators

Text by: RFI Follow

In the United States, Donald Trump has just signed a decree to review the status of social media platforms. A decision that comes 24 hours after Twitter tagged two tweets from the President with the words "Misleading Content".

Publicity

From our correspondent in New York, Loubna Anaki

For Donald Trump, it is above all a question of "  protecting freedom of expression from one of the greatest threats in American history  ". The president thus carries out his threats. He had repeatedly accused the big social networks of silencing the voices of the Conservatives, and denounced the fact that the majority of their employees vote Democrat. The move also comes as Twitter reported this week two Donald Trump posts on mail voting as misleading content.

The law targeted by this decree dates from 1996 and provides that online platforms are not responsible for messages published by Internet users. They cannot be prosecuted, although they have an obligation to delete any problematic message.

In signing the decree on Thursday, Donald Trump said "  that as soon as social networks censor, modify or report messages, it is an editorial decision  ." For the president, the law would therefore no longer be appropriate and social networks should be held responsible for their content and decision like any other traditional media.

Donald Trump even hinted that if legally possible, he would simply shut down Twitter.

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• United States
• Donald trump
• Social media
• Internet

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