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What the experts say 2: S.M.

It’s no surprise that what we post online can be used against us. Free speech, and in that light, free press, has always been able to be held against us in some ways, particularly when threatening the life of another individual. That’s precisely what happened in 2011, when one Anthony Elonis threatened his estrange wife through a series of online posts. This blog focuses on the repercussions of what our free press gives us today. In line with how easy it is for us to post our thoughts. The key point of this article to me is the line used by the author, S.M., “what happens in future cases when the government seeks to punish people for venting”, (S.M. 2014). Mr. Elonis is hardly an isolated case, and it can be assumed that in the future that these kinds of charges will be continued against those who unwittingly post hateful comments towards others online.  In cases of domestic violence, or murder, it may seem completely natural for these things to be used in a court, but that is in an ideal world where a clear boundary would be drawn. The question lingers in the air, however. Where is the line for using our publications against us?

M., S. (2014, December 3). Little to 'like' Retrieved January 5, 2015, from http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2014/12/free-speech-and-social-media

To read the original blog click here: http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2014/12/free-speech-and-social-media