Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s remarks during the Murthy vs. Missouri case have ignited debate over the limits of the First Amendment and the role of the government in regulating speech on social media platforms. Jackson’s concerns about the federal government being “hamstrung” in its ability to mitigate misinformation have been met with criticism from figures like Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, who argue that the First Amendment’s primary function is to protect citizens from government overreach, particularly in matters of free speech. The case highlights the tension between safeguarding free speech and addressing the spread of misinformation online.
Should the government have the authority to regulate misinformation on social media?