Scott - Thanks for explaining this. Politics aside (hint, NOT a fan of Trump, Barr and the rest of them) but this obviously has deep implications. Hopefully the lawmakers will do what's right, and not what they are dictated to do.
Thanks again to American Univ and to you for making this all possible. Michael Danese From: MoPo List <mopo-l@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU> On Behalf Of Scott Burns Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2020 3:33 PM To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU Subject: [MOPO] From MoPo List Owner Politics is normally off-limits here in MoPo-Land, but just a heads up on developments that could possibly affect our little discussion group in the future. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, passed in 1996, provides websites (and by extension, any online forum) with immunity from civil liability for the messages their users post. As has always been the case since MoPo began, the author of anything posted to the group is responsible for the content. MoPo is, by default, not moderated. My understanding that Section 230 protects American University (our listserv host) and ME (as managing list owner) from being held liable for what any individual posts to our group. On May 28, 2020, president Trump signed an executive order (in retaliation to Twitter marking one of his Tweets as "potentially misleading") with the goal to remove Section 230 protections, thus leaving hosts legally liable for all user-generated content. Today, the Justice Department has unveiled proposed legislation that would remake Section 230. (Link below for more information). Attorney General Bill Barr stated "For too long Section 230 has provided a shield for online platforms to operate with impunity," in unveiling the draft. The motivation of this legislation seems to be the unsubstantiated claim that social media censors conservative speech. (Make up your own mind on that.) But the implication to ANY online forum if this change occurs, is chilling. We live in a world of unintended consequences and in my opinion, there will definitely be unintended consequences if Section 230 is remade. With all the other chaos going on right now (COVID-19, racism, replacing RGB on the Supreme Court, and that little thing called the Presidential election), I can't imagine Congress undertaking this issue any time soon. I just want everyone to be aware of what's going on. Should this come to pass, it could spell the end of MoPo as neither American University nor I can take on the burden of liability for the posts on MoPo and the consequences of that free speech. More details on the legislation: https://www.nexttv.com/news/trump-administration-unveils-legislation-to-regu late-social-media MoPo has generally been a docile and friendly group. But there have been a few issues (and a few thorny people) over the last 25 years that were not pleasant. I have only been threatened with legal action over posts one time. Fortunately, that situation was resolved without lawyers. But Section 230 would have protected me. Just a reminder: PLEASE VOTE THIS NOVEMBER (or earlier if your state allows). And let your representatives and senators in D.C. know where you stand on this issue. Scott MoPo List Owner _____ To unsubscribe from the MoPo-L list, click the following link: https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L <https://listserv.american.edu/scripts/wa-american.exe?SUBED1=MoPo-L&A=1> &A=1 Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: lists...@listserv.american.edu In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
