Dissidents in Russia and elsewhere are upset that Facebook has blocked an event page for a demonstration to support a leading opposition figure at the behest of the government of President Vladimir Putin. While their outrage is understandable, Facebook’s decision serves as an important reminder that social media companies are under no obligation to support free speech if doing so would harm their business.
New York Times: Facebook is not the public square
A file picture taken late on Dec. 5, 2011, Alexei Navalny taking part in a rally of the opposition supporters enraged over fraudulent parliamentary vote to protest the elections results in central Moscow.
