★★★★★ 5
The book that might save the internet
Format: Hardcover
The level of misunderstanding about Section 230 in media and government is astounding. All they have to do is read Kosseff's book to clear up their misunderstanding. The New York Times made a colossal mistake confusing Section 230 with the First Amendment. I hear media people all the time thinking they can't moderate comments because of Section 230 (the opposite is true). I see politicians going after Section 230 because they think it is the root of the net's problems (they are dead wrong). Section 230 is our best protection of free expression and human dignity on the net, for as Kosseff clearly explains, it is intended to enable the public conversation (by not making platforms -- including news organizations -- liable for what others do on their sites) and it is also intended to empower platforms and media companies to moderate what people do on their sites to their own standards. The law is short and clear and is vital to the future of the net and the public conversation on it.
Kosseff puts forward an excellent history of the development of legislation and case law on free expression in books, movies, and other media. He talks with the creators of Section 230 and explains their goals and motives. He outlines the debate about the law.
That debate is now reaching a critical phase in both media and Washington. Thus Kosseff's book is a document of urgent importance. I wish some rich person would come along to buy every member of Congress and every news organization a copy so they don't keep screwing this up.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2019
