How Section 230 helped create the internet... and why it may go away
"No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider."
You may not totally understand what that means, but some say these are the 26 words that made the internet what it is today. And congress may be ready to repeal them.
Written and passed in 1996, the law Section 230 shields websites from being held responsible for the content users post. In other words, platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Reddit can’t be sued for what people share there. But now, a growing bipartisan group of lawmakers believes Section 230 goes too far and are considering a repeal.
The impact? … It could totally reshape the way the internet works.
Guest:
UW Professor of Political Science Victor Menaldo
Relevant Links:
Section 230: Friend, not foe, of free speech
The Twenty-Six Words That Created the Internet
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Diana Opong
Reporter & Host
Diana Opong is a general assignment reporter at KUOW, committed to illuminating impactful stories throughout the Pacific Northwest. Her journalistic lens spans between environmental phenomena like invasive green crabs to transformative milestones in ballet. Rooted in curiosity, Diana's approach to reporting blends meticulous research with collaborative storytelling, ensuring her work resonates deeply with audiences. She has also showcased her expertise as a freelance host for NPR's Life Kit and as a spot news reporter for NPR News, consistently delivering insightful narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.
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