Today’s libraries are much more than just physical spaces filled with books. They also serve as virtual hubs of information and community engagement. Recently, while trying to watch the latest board meeting on the Arlington Heights Memorial Library YouTube channel, I was surprised to find that the comments section had been disabled.
I expressed my concern to the president and the other trustees and shared a link with them containing information about the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Lindke v. Freed case. The ruling clarified that social media platforms are considered public forums, and government entities cannot engage in viewpoint discrimination when moderating content. This means that social media accounts run by the government, including those of public libraries, are protected by the First Amendment.
Lindke sued Freed 42. U. S. C. §1983
Link v. Freed and O’Connor-Ratcliff v. Garnier were US Supreme Court cases related to the First Amendment. In both cases, individuals were blocked from a public official’s social media account where official government business was discussed.
It is important to note that the president of the library promptly contacted me. In one of their responses, they claimed that they were not in violation after consulting with their lawyer. However, they did not provide any explanation regarding the decision to disable comments or who made that decision.
It is possible that the decision was taken to maintain a safe environment. However, while libraries have a responsibility to ensure a safe and welcoming online environment for all users, simply disabling comments may not be the most effective or lawful approach to achieving this goal. There are concerns about censorship and the suppression of public discourse.
The library could implement moderation policies that adhere to the principles of free speech while still maintaining a safe and respectful online environment. Active monitoring of comments, removal of any inappropriate content, and fostering constructive dialogue among users are some of the alternatives that could be considered. YouTube also provides comment moderation tools and community guidelines that could be utilized to manage and regulate comments effectively.
Taking a proactive and balanced approach to moderation enables the library to uphold its commitment to free expression while ensuring the safety and integrity of the online community. The decision to disable comments on the Arlington Heights Memorial Library’s YouTube channel has brought to light important issues related to free speech, online censorship, and community engagement. It is crucial for all stakeholders to collaborate and find a mutually beneficial solution that respects the rights of all parties involved. Failure to do so may lead to a legal dispute, which is not in the best interest of any of the parties involved.
Doug McEwing
Email: doug@ahtownsquare.com
