Lamar Smith: “One of the greatest threats to free speech is the ongoing politicization of online platforms. Some, which have millions…”

“One of the greatest threats to free speech is the ongoing politicization of online platforms. Some, which have millions of users, have allowed liberal interest groups to determine what content is available to the public. A recent example is the Southern Poverty Law Center being allowed to censor content that they deem hate speech. The SPLC has a ``hate map'' that lists over 900 organizations. These include pro-life, religious freedom, and border security groups, all popular with the American people and all unfairly targeted by the SPLC. Why do online platforms empower the SPLC to suppress conservative views? There is only one answer: They want to promote their liberal agenda even if it means stifling free speech. This is a clear and present danger to democracy, and it represents another effort to control what the American people hear and see. ____________________”