Should social media companies be required to allow replies to posts by government officials and public bodies?
Social media platforms are private companies that set their own moderation rules, including on replies and blocking. UK law under the Online Safety Act 2023 requires large platforms to protect content of democratic importance and journalistic content from disproportionate removal. US courts have ruled that when government officials use social media for official purposes, the comment sections can become public forums where viewpoint-based blocking of replies may violate free speech protections. No UK law currently mandates that platforms must permit replies to official accounts.
4 Opinions
Blocking replies from posts is the ultimate form of cowardice. If you can't defend your own views they're clearly repugnant.
Social media not, publicly funded bodies and officials should to have such requirements in their policies or rules of conduct.
Hiding behind 'safety' to turn off comments is a pathetic shield for ministers terrified of accountability.
If the political class want to put their arguments forward via social media, they need to allow the public to discuss and debate.