blog #3 8 values of expression

The bill of rights in the constitution contains, The first amendment is all about the freedom of speech. the first amendment arguably enables us to think and act freely in the USA.

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The first amendment has eight values that go along with free speech. they are a marketplace of ideas, participation in self-government, stable change, individual self-fulfillment, check on governmental power, promoting tolerance, promoting innovation, and protecting dissent. these values represent the idea of the first amendment. it's especially important in today's society that the first amendment exists. Social media is a key player in today's conversations with the first amendment. my question is, do social media companies support the first amendment if they are meddling with present-day events, issues, and controversies, like the election, protests, and Covid-19 pandemic.

First Amendment defined,
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Facebook claims that they are doing their job with fact-checking and monitoring posts throughout the election. in which they launched a campaign to promote posts and keep users informed about the election. facebook's own website claims that "We are committed to securing our platforms, providing transparency and empowering people to vote."Many users feel they could not voice their opinions and got their posts taken down. Facebook even said in the 2020 election that Russia was trying to influence young left-wing voters with posts. 

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Another example is the information spread about the Covid-19 pandemic, extending resources, and monitoring and fact-checking those on social media sites. and claiming there is a pandemic of misinformation. this kind of regulation can hinge on what freedom of speech claims to be, yet they are on privately owned platforms, and further divide everyone online.

These examples bring me to my final question, how can Americans be free if they are silenced and monitored on social media to spread the "right information" and silenced if they do not match with social medias' guidelines. How can the first amendment protect us on social media?