Online Public Relations Thoughts

 Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protects Internet-based companies from claims they are throttling speech -- a common complaint from conservatives.  The heads of Google, Facebook and Twitter are now in front of Congress and defending the law.  There is a move to rescind it and to place web-based content creators under the aegis of regulation.  If so, it will be nearly the same move that happened to radio and TV decades ago when they were considered too big and influential in American conversation.  The CEOs need to make powerful statements to offset the prevailing mood they are out of control.  From a marketing perspective, they would be insane to tip the balance of speech one way or another.  It is too risky.  Still, they have a duty to monitor speech on their networks for false and defamatory content.  A complete hands-off position has not worked with the rise of propagandists and hate-mongers.  It's a tough position to be in and it reflects the universal reach of the internet.  There may well be new laws needed but what principles they should follow are still under discussion.