Why Section 230 is essential for civic websites like OPRAmachine

Why Section 230 is essential for civic websites like OPRAmachine
Photo by Claire Anderson / Unsplash

You may have recently heard about attempts to reform a federal law known as Section 230 or ongoing legal battles involving big tech companies over possible challenges to the law. But "big tech" isn't the only thing at stake in the debate surrounding possible changes to the law - your ability to obtain public records via OPRAmachine is at risk if this law were to be reformed.

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is a crucial law that protects online platforms from liability for user-generated content. This law is essential for running civic websites like OPRAmachine, which allow citizens to easily access and request public records. It has been a topic of much debate in recent years, with some arguing that the law needs to be reformed to hold platforms accountable for the spread of misinformation and harmful content. However, others argue that changing the law would have a detrimental effect on the free flow of information and the ability of platforms to provide a space for public discourse and civic engagement.

The OPRAmachine platform is a powerful tool for increasing government transparency and civic engagement. It allows citizens to make public records requests to state and local government agencies, and provides an easy-to-use interface for searching and viewing the records that are obtained. This is essential for holding government officials accountable and promoting informed participation in the democratic process.

Law protects free flow of information on OPRAmachine

However, attempts to reform Section 230 would put the OPRAmachine platform at risk. Without the protections provided by Section 230, platforms like OPRAmachine could be forced to censor or remove content contained in public records or posted by our users in order to avoid legal liability. This would undermine the very purpose of the platform and prevent citizens from accessing important information.

According to a report by the Center for Democracy and Technology, "Section 230 allows online platforms to host a wide range of speech without fear of legal liability for that speech. This protection allows platforms to facilitate robust public discourse and civic engagement without having to constantly monitor user-generated content for potential legal violations."

Furthermore, without Section 230, platforms like OPRAmachine could be subject to frivolous litigation designed to stop public participation. This would not only be a costly burden for the platform, but it would also make it harder for citizens to access the information they need.

We call on policy makers to reject any attempts to reform Section 230 and to support the continued operation of civic websites like OPRAmachine, which play a vital role in promoting government transparency and civic engagement. The free flow of information is a cornerstone of a democracy and citizens should have access to the information they need to hold their government accountable.

We encourage citizens to voice their support for Section 230 and the continued operation of civic websites like OPRAmachine. By working together, we can ensure that government transparency and civic engagement remain strong.

Contact your congress member and tell them to #SaveSection230

One way you can take action is by reaching out to your congress member and letting them know how important Section 230 is to you. You can find your congress member and their contact information by visiting this website: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

We also encourage you to join our campaign and spread the word about the importance of Section 230 on social media using #SaveSection230. Together, we can ensure that public records remain easily accessible to all citizens.