#FCC moves to ‘clarify’ Section 230 law after censoring of Post story

Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai said Thursday he will move to “clarify the meaning” of the law known as “Section 230,” which protects tech giants like Twitter and Facebook from being held liable for the content their users post.

Pai’s move follows explosive backlash to Twitter and Facebook blocking links to The Post’s Wednesday exposé on Hunter Biden’s emails.

Republican lawmakers and President Trump on Wednesday cited the tech giants’ censorship of the article in calls for reform of Section 230. Supporters of reforming Section 230 say tech giants should lose protections if they operate as a publisher rather than as a neutral platform.

“Social media companies have a First Amendment right to free speech. But they do not have a First Amendment right to a special immunity denied to other media outlets, such as newspapers and broadcasters,” Pai tweeted at 2:30 p.m.

“The Commission’s General Counsel has informed me that the FCC has the legal authority to interpret Section 230. Consistent with this advice, I intend to move forward with a rulemaking to clarify its meaning,” he added.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey on Wednesday night called it “unacceptable” that his site blocked users from sharing links to the story without providing a clear message as to why it was taking the action.