E-Participation and Freedom of Speech

As e-participation is a democratic process, peer pressures, intimidations or coercions of e-participants could be unethical.

Situations arise in participation where participants’ employers or the industries of participants’ employers have interests in political discussions. In such situations, some participants might be concerned about getting into trouble at workplaces, which can be, situationally, a form of intimidation. The idea or impression that individuals might get into trouble at work if they speak their opinions can stifle free speech in communities.

Situational options to protect free speech include the first amendment, legal protections, labor unions, teachers’ unions and tenure systems.

See Also

Freedom of Speech, First Amendment to the United States Constitution

Voting Rights Act of 1965, Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act, Electoral Fraud § Intimidation