What are the restrictions on media censorship?

Media censorship in South Carolina is generally subject to the same restrictions imposed by the U.S. Constitution at the federal level. Freedom of speech and of the press are core principles of our democracy, although there are some limits to these rights. Generally speaking, it is unlawful for media outlets to publish or broadcast obscene material or messages, or material that incites violence or hatred. Furthermore, the media may not lie or willfully spread false or misleading information, as this is a form of fraud. Additionally, media outlets in South Carolina have to comply with the terms of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which provides protection from defamation liability for internet service providers. This law generally shields these providers from liability for the speech of their users, so long as they do not actively moderate or edit their users’ speech. Finally, the media must be mindful not to violate a person’s right to privacy. In South Carolina, the media is generally barred from publishing or broadcasting material that invades a person’s right to privacy, such as private facts, or misappropriation of a person’s name or likeness for commercial gain. In general, South Carolina media outlets must abide by the federal protections of the First Amendment and Communications Decency Act, as well as the state level protections from invasion of privacy. Therefore, it is important for media outlets in South Carolina to be aware of their legal obligations when engaging in censorship.

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What are the restrictions on media censorship?

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