The free speech clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution can be limited by the state to regulate professional conduct that contains speech. For example, a state may require a professional to be licensed in their field before being able to legally practice within that state. This expresses the state’s interest in promoting an ethical industry that limits potential harm to its citizens. If said professional is not licensed, the state may suppress their ability to communicate certain services or information to potential clients.

Social media has become a prominent part of everyday life. It is regarded by many as the modern-day equivalent of the town forum. The Pew Research Center finds that over 70% of American adults use some form of social media, and almost all of those users get news content from them. It is one of the foremost means of communication in our modern world. Views of social media censorship, especially related to certain political news and politicians, have shifted in recent years. Generally, social media users have differing views on whether Big Tech should be regulated more heavily by the U.S. government in response to these perceptions of censorship.