Platforms, Power, and the Public Square: The Debate on Editorial Rights in the Age of Social Media

Authors

• Donovan Smith

First Page

149

Document Type

Comment

Abstract

Social media has taken a hold on society and continues to tighten its grip; its influence is undeniable. Today, billions of people all over the world use social media for news, weather updates, communication, commerce, and self-expression every day. With the increasing dependence on social media, it is essential that the civil liberties and fundamental rights of social media users remain protected. Over the last decade, censorship of users and content on social media has become a key political talking point, especially when coupled with concurring events like elections and global pandemics. But is any of this censorship even allowed? Ultimately, this article will explore editorial rights, the rise of social media and the subsequent rise of censorship, and the current state of social media free speech jurisprudence. Most importantly, it will address why social media platforms should not be afforded the same editorial rights as other traditional editorial platforms.

Recommended Citation

Donovan Smith, Platforms, Power, and the Public Square: The Debate on Editorial Rights in the Age of Social Media, 38 St. Thomas L. Rev. 149 (2026).
Available at: https://scholarship.stu.edu/stlr/vol38/iss2/4