Ograniczanie czy obrona wolności słowa? Rozważania na temat koncepcji regulacji dotyczącej działalności mediów społecznościowych

Freedom of expression is an element of a democratic state of law. It enables obtaining information and opinions on the activities of state authorities as well as social organisations and private entities. So far, it has functioned in a civic-state relationship, protecting society against excessive censorship by those in power. Currently, it is also becoming a tool for protecting network users from corporations managing social media. In this context, two important issues need to be considered. Firstly, whether restricting freedom of speech by social media platforms or certain individuals (preventing publication of certain content) is consistent with the applicable law. Secondly, is a possible law regulating these issues a step towards protecting freedom of speech or a tool for its restriction? The aim of the article is therefore to answer the following research question: whether and in what form content shared on social media should be regulated. To this end, the author analyses whether social-media can now be considered a public place and what implications are associated with such an assessment. The impact of the new environment – the Internet – on freedom of speech was also analysed in the context of the necessity to establish a separate regulation protecting this value.