Social media tools have changed the way we communicate. Now instead of getting our information from the news or other broadcasting platforms, we have become the media platform as individuals.
There are pros and cons to this ability and power that we have been given.
On the positive side we can share what we want, when we want and offer breaking news as we see it. The negative can be that our eye-witness accounts may not always be 100% accurate or that we may share our views without restraint. It really is a double edged sword!
The thing that bothers me are the conversations going on about where our freedom of expression stops with tools such as FaceBook and Twitter. Some of us might remember the fallout with ESPN and their newly integrated social media policy or maybe we’ve read the outstanding article by Michael Hyatt and their guidelines at Thomas Nelson Publishers. The truth is, athletes to business people are now under the gun to either not use these tools or if if they can, it must be controlled.
How far will we go in our digital world to keep people from sharing what’s on their minds?
I believe that every person should use their best judgment and act responsibly – in person, in the media or on the web – but wonder if we truly have a right to enforce a set of rules when it could cross the line for our Freedom of Speech, especially if a person is using their own personal account for social media.
There is, without a doubt, a time where strict rules should be in place such as when it relates to trade secrets or privacy policy matters. What if the conversation is not based on sensitive information, and instead, a personal view of an athlete questioning a bad call or worker sharing their religion? Could shutting down these comments be subject to a violation of our Freedom of Speech rights?
I am curious as to where the line will be drawn in the sand. How about you?
