Fact Check: New York Lawmakers Ignored Calls to Revise the Stop Hiding Hate Act
What We Know
The Stop Hiding Hate Act (S895B/A6789B) is a piece of legislation sponsored by New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Grace Lee. This act aims to require large social media companies to disclose their policies and moderation practices regarding online hate speech. The sponsors assert that the act does not infringe upon First Amendment rights and is modeled after similar legislation in California (source-1, source-2).
Recently, the act faced a legal challenge from Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, which argues that the legislation infringes on free speech rights. The sponsors of the act have publicly responded to this challenge, emphasizing the need for transparency from social media companies in light of rising hate speech and misinformation (source-1, source-5).
Analysis
The claim that "New York lawmakers ignored calls to revise the Stop Hiding Hate Act" requires a nuanced examination. The sponsors of the act have actively defended it against legal challenges and have not indicated any intention to revise it in response to public or legal pressure. Instead, they have framed the act as a necessary measure to combat online hate, citing a growing need for accountability from social media platforms (source-1, source-2).
However, the term "ignored" suggests a lack of responsiveness to public discourse or opposition, which may not be entirely accurate. While the lawmakers have not revised the act, they have publicly engaged with the criticisms and legal challenges posed by X. This indicates a level of responsiveness, albeit not in the form of legislative revision. The reliability of the sources is high, as they come directly from official statements by the sponsors and reputable organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) (source-1, source-2).
Conclusion
The claim that New York lawmakers ignored calls to revise the Stop Hiding Hate Act is Partially True. While the lawmakers have not made any revisions to the act, they have actively defended it against legal challenges and engaged with public discourse regarding its implications. Thus, while there may be calls for revision, the lawmakers have chosen to maintain their position rather than ignore the concerns raised.
Sources
- Senator Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Lee: Statement on the Stop Hiding Hate Act. New York State Senate.
- ADL, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and Assemblymember Grace Lee: Support for the Stop Hiding Hate Act. New York State Senate.
- X Alleges New York's "Stop Hiding Hate" Act Impinges Free Speech. Justia News.
