Social Networking and Free Speech

Jul 8th, 2008 Written By Cheryl Smith

I’m a big fan of social networking in general and Twitter in particular. In the last few weeks I’ve begun following the Twitter updates of The Honorable Congressman John Culberson (R) of Texas. For how much longer, I’m not entirely sure.

I’m following Culberson, not because I’m a Texan or a Republican but because I’m interested in how people are using Social Networking and Social Media and how this digital world is shaping all aspects of culture: faith, family, business, politics, etc.

I’m not a politico. I vote because it’s my civic duty and I loved Ms. Janie Gray’s US Government class in high school. My understanding of politics is primarily shaped from life with a strongly Democratic ex-husband and an equally strong Republican former boss.

On June 3rd, I twittered during Hillary Clinton’s “almost concession speech” and during Obamas’s speech that followed. In recent weeks I’ve seen Congressman Culberson tweet from the White House, the first in history to do so, and from the House floor. And I happen to think it’s all good for our country.

So it was with great interest and more than a little concern that I read tweets from Congressman Culberson that,

“the Democrats are looking at restricting Member content on websites outside the house.gov domain.”

Surely people in the Democratic camp haven’t talked with Senator Obama about this! Just today I read an article about the Obama campaign building community and growing grassroots support by embracing social networking strategies. You can read the New York Times post “The Facebooker Who Friended Obama” here.

Click here to read Congressman Culberson’s statement.

Free speech and access to government, at least as best I recall, are principles we hold dearly in the US.

So, what do you think? Weigh in here. Should our elected government officials’ use of new media be restricted? If so, how much and how far? If not, why not?

Barack Obama

Talent does what it can; genius does what it must.EdwardRobertBulwer-LyttonEdward Robert Bulwer-Lytton
US Economics

I feel that America is essentially against the artist, that the enemy of America is the artist, because he stands for individuality and creativeness, and that's unAmerican somehow. I think that of all countries ? we have to overlook the communist countries of course ? America is the most mechanized, robotized of all.HenryMillerHenry Miller, The Paris Review
Cheryl Smith

This issue is heating up. Was on Twitter two days ago. Only just today on Fox, CNN and now Craig Newmark on Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-newmark/let-our-congress-tweet_b_111957.html
Cheryl Smith

John,
Thanks for bringing this issue to our attention. What happens with this debate will have no doubt have implications for how politics is handled in the future. We'll be watching with great interest as the debate continues.

By the way, I agree with Luis. I don't see this as a Republican or Democrat issue. This speaks clearly to the generational differences between the digital groups: aliens, immigrants, adaptives and natives.

This fight is important. Hold fast!

Best,
Cheryl
John Culberson

Heres how the House leadership will use this rule to control where and what I say and even exercise influence over your website/blog etc

If the Ds rule change were in effect today, before I could post this, your website/blog would have to be preapproved as complying with House rules, my post would require a disclaimer that it was "produced by a House office for official purposes," and the CONTENT of my post would have to be preapproved by the House Franking Committee as complying with "existing content rules and regulations."

This is a violation of your First Amendment rights and mine, and is an outrageous attempt by House leadership to stifle and control you and me. If Rs were in charge I would be just as outraged - forget the party label - I do not want the federal gov't/House of Representatives certifying your website or the content of my posts. I am writing this post personally, in my official capacity, so it would fall precisely under their new rule and you and I would both be in violation unless we subjected ourselves and my words to their prior approval/editing.

I am always ready to admit I am wrong but I am an attorney and this is what the letter means.

This is a story worth following because I am going to continue to vigorously exercise my First Amendment rights on every social media outlet I can reach. Itis my right as an American and my duty as a representative.

thanks

John Culberson
Schmoozii

They shouldn't restrict any method of media. They should be free to use it as they please. However I would like to see information become more open. If they are running for office or in office, there should be a record of everything they do and say for the entire day. If there is a closed door meeting, then there should be a record of who they met and it should be open to the public.
Luis Sandoval

What they are doing is absolutely wrong!

Like I said in one of my Tweets, what they cannot understand, and they cannot control they fear. This is not a Dem or Repub battle, it's not a right or left wing fight, it's a fight for information.

We elect these officials, we expect them to respond, and when one finds a way to connect with people, a way to get a message across he now becomes a victim of outrage and fear.

Social media is meant for everyone in the community, let the community decide where we stand on issue, and ultimately be able to make a change in society.

I look forward to seeing how this plays out. I sure hope mainstream media does not ignore a story like this because the internet community will not.

Social Networking and Free Speech

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