Please help me understand: why shouldn't online sites be held accountable

[cayugafalls]

11. I'm pretty certain the paper would be found not liable.

The person was not employed by or representing the paper in any way. Letters to the editor are simply opinions of one persons viewpoint and not an indication of the views of said paper. It even states that in most newspapers LTE sections.

The problem with holding online forums responsible for the content and views of their guests is that you then cross the line into holding all citizens accountable for the speech of others if they are "on your forum".

Free speech is just that. The current laws on the books for online forums protect the owners from being held liable for content that is not expressly their own. Hosting improper content in the form of speech does not and should not make you accountable for what others say, while exercising their right to free speech.

The internet should be free from censorship of any kind and once you begin censoring speech and holding "owners" accountable you give up control to those whose opinions may be more nefarious than yours, i.e. the government. The only speech that will be allowed in your scenario will be speech that is "approved".

No thank you.