Free Speech & the Postmodern Town Square _ A plea for digital literacy

Abstract

The article discusses restriction of free speech and opinions in times of digital media and the imperative for more digital literacy. In conclusion, the author argues that digital platforms' responsibility in governing town squares plays an important but not absolute role. Market incentives and challenges inherent to the nature of free speech make even well-intended content policies fallible. A new approach will therefore need to place greater focus on equipping end users with the tools necessary to critically engage in our digital economies to avoid their opinions becoming in­voluntarily skewed over the course of their town square visits.