Facebook has invoked its free speech right as a publisher, insisting its ability to smear users as extremists is protected – but its legal immunity thus far has rested on a law that protects platforms, not publishers. Which is it?

Facebook has declared it has the right, as a publisher, to exercise its own free speech and bar conservative political performance artist Laura Loomer from its platform.

Even calling her a dangerous extremist is allowed under the First Amendment, because it’s merely an opinion, Facebook claims in its motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Loomer.

But Facebook has always defined itself as a tech company providing a platform for users’ speech in the past, a definition that has come to appear increasingly ridiculous in the era of widespread politically-motivated censorship.

Source: Facebook Declares It’s a ‘Publisher,’ Can Censor Whomever It Wants

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That seems like a huge mistake.

As a “platform”, it avoids the legal liability for what’s put on its site.

As a “publisher”, it takes responsibility for what is posted.

Seems like a gigantic gaff!

Where are its lawyers?

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