The boundaries of free speech and social media are
continuing to be defined.
The Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that Liking” something on Facebook is a form of speech protected by
the First Amendment.
Daniel R. Carter Jr., formally of the Hampton Sheriff’s Department, alleged a
violation of the First Amendment rights because he was canned for expressing
support for the sheriff’s rival in the 2009 election.
Freedom of speech is vital to our democratic system. Without
the freedom to analyze, criticize and potentially force governments to reverse
and revise policy we would be powerless as individuals.
The boundaries of free expression are often tested in Canada. Take for example the Alberta Court of Appeal decision last year in Pridgen v. University of Calgary, which affirmed that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the free speech rights of university students on campus.
Steven and Keith Pridgen wrote critical comments on Facebook
regarding a professor. The University of Calgary prosecuted 10 students who
joined the Facebook page, and found all of them guilty of “non-academic
misconduct”. The University threatened them all with expulsion if they failed
to write an abject letter of apology.
The Pridgens took the University of Alberta to court to
affirm their right to free speech.
On the other the B.C. Labour Relations Board upheld thedismissal of pair of workers at a B.C. car dealership that were fired for
comments they posted about their employer on Facebook.
The lines are still being drawn in the shifting social media
sand.
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