The Voice of Local Utah

Utah Stories

Free Speech and Censoring of Independent Voices and News Outlets

Democracy can only flourish if there can be free speech, free discussion and debate over the most important topics and issues.

by

Richard Markosian

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Big Tech platforms such as Twitter and Facebook along with large corporate media outlets are actively silencing and censoring independent voices and opinions. Utah Stories has personally been silenced and shadow-banned for our social medical posts on the LDS Church’s involvement in Utah’s medical cannabis legislation, as well as our coverage of a right-wing protest at Utah’s Capital. (Utah Stories actively covers protests and issues both on the left and the right).

Today, social media platforms employ a committee that determines what is considered  “misinformation” and “disinformation” and what is legitimate news and opinion. These new categories of thought and opinion have led to the banning of popular independent news outlets, such as the Babylon Bee, and commentators such as Milo Yinopolis, and Alex Jones being banned on Twitter and Facebook.  Whether you agree with these people or not, there is no clear standard for what will get a person banned.

Russian President Putin, who is currently committing genocide in Ukraine is still active on Twitter actively using the platform to lie about his reasons for murdering thousands of Ukrainians. Yet former President Donald Trump is banned from social media (Twitter and Facebook) for his questioning of the election results. Whether you agree with these leaders or not, this is clearly an attack on free speech and the tradition of the United States as having provided the greatest “free marketplace of ideas”.

In this episode of the Utah Stories podcast, we point out examples where the mainstream and local media has at least covered up or lied about the facts concerning important stories. The Salt Lake Tribune editorial board has determined that any person who disagrees with the current Mexico/U.S. open-border policy is a white supremacist, including Utah’s current black 4th congressional district representative Burgess Owens.

According to a recent poll, 56% of Americans say they are afraid to voice their opinions for fear of being canceled on social media platforms.

Elon Musk has said that he believes that the “Wokeness is one of the biggest threats of modern civilization.” And that democracy can only flourish if there can be free discussion and debate over the most important topics and issues.

Will Elon Musk’s buyout of Twitter restore free speech and break up the big-tech oligarchy that has emerged in the U.S?

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Richard Markosian

I am a story teller and journalist. I have a passion for farmers, local craftspeople, and folks who aspire to create, build and grow their business in the local marketplace. Why local? By supporting locally-owned businesses we create more opportunity for entrepreneurs, and we claim our sovereignty to shape our communities how we want to see them. I aspire to build Utah Stories Magazine into a household Utah name, and assist Utah businesses and makers with marketing. On the journalism side of things my passion is investigative journalism that offers true insight into issues. I believe strongly in the forth estate: strong, meaningful, insightful journalism is essential to a free market Democracy.

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