Supreme Court weighs in on social media speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The topic for the Supreme Court on Monday was freedom of speech. The court ruled that Internet communications may be considered criminal threats only if they include a measure of intent. The decision was a temporary victory for those whose threatening words on Facebook or similar social media sites may instill fear in their targets. The case concerns a Pennsylvania man who posted several violent messages on his social media account after his wife left him. He claimed he was an artist and that rap lyrics helped him cope with depression. WBBJ spoke with a local attorney who said it’s best to avoid online threats altogether. The best thing to do is just be safe,” Jackson attorney Mark Donohoe said. “Don’t do it, because it’s very easy to step over a fine line between free speech and threat — it’s a small line, and it’s easy to cross.” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the 8-to-1 decision for a near-unanimous court. It was based only on the court’s interpretation of a federal criminal statute rather than more broadly the First Amendment.
