Enlarge image
Texas Governor Abbott: The Next Conservative Push
Photo: Eric Gay / AP
The US state of Texas has passed a law that prohibits online networks from blocking users because of their political views.
There is a dangerous tendency on Facebook, Twitter and similar companies to "suppress conservative views and ideas," said Governor Greg Abbott in explanation.
"We won't let that happen in Texas."
Conservative politicians in the US regularly accuse online companies of "censoring" their positions and favoring the political opponents of the Democratic Party.
Tensions reached a temporary climax with the expulsion of ex-President Donald Trump from the platforms.
The Republican had incited the people who stormed the Washington Capitol on January 6th.
Twitter and later Facebook then closed Trump's user accounts.
The state of Florida also passed a law earlier this year to prevent online networks from blocking entries posted by political candidates.
However, a US federal judge ruled the law unconstitutional in early July.
The measure was "completely incompatible with the recognized constitutional principles" of freedom of speech.
The freedom of expression enshrined in the constitution "does not restrict the rights of private bodies that do not perform traditional public tasks," the judge said.
asa / AFP
