The First Amendment in the Digital Age

Protecting Our Fundamental Right to Speak in the New Public Square

Freedom of speech is the bedrock of our democracy and the ultimate check on government power. For generations, Americans have gathered in town halls and public squares to debate, dissent, and share ideas. Today, the public square has moved online to digital platforms that control the flow of information for millions of Alaskans.

We must ensure that our fundamental constitutional rights follow us into these digital spaces. When a handful of global corporations can silence voices, shadow-ban perspectives, or bury inconvenient truths, the democratic process itself is at stake. My policy focus is simple: your right to speak shouldn't depend on the whims of a Silicon Valley algorithm.

As your Senator, I will fight to modernize our laws so that the First Amendment remains as powerful in the age of the internet as it was in the era of the town crier.

Free Speech Should Not End When You Go Online

The internet is no longer a luxury; it is the primary avenue for commerce, education, and political discourse. In Alaska, where geography often separates us, digital connectivity is our lifeline. We cannot allow digital gatekeepers to create 'no-speech' zones that effectively bar citizens from participating in modern society.

My Core Belief

I believe that government and big tech should never collaborate to censor legal speech. True freedom of expression means the right to be wrong, the right to be offensive, and the right to challenge the status quo without fear of being erased from the digital world.

My Plan to Strengthen Free Speech Online

End Government-Coerced Censorship

Ban federal agencies from flagging legal content for removal.
Mandate full disclosure of all communication between the White House and tech platforms.
Establish strict penalties for officials who violate speech rights.

Section 230 Modernization

Tie liability protections to political neutrality in content moderation.
Protect small startups while holding massive platforms accountable.
End broad immunity for platforms that knowingly host illegal activity.

Right to Due Process

Require platforms to provide clear, specific reasons for any account bans.
Guarantee a standard appeal process for content removal or account termination.
Ensure Alaskans have legal recourse when unfairly silenced.

Algorithm Transparency

Require disclosure of how certain viewpoints are promoted or demoted.
End 'shadow-banning' practices that suppress reach without notice.
Allow independent audits of moderation algorithms.

Protecting Digital Privacy

Stop platforms from selling sensitive user data to third parties.
Protect personal messaging and private groups from invasive tracking.
Empower users with a 'Right to be Forgotten' for personal data.

Encouraging Platform Competition

Break up monopolistic control of the digital marketplace.
Support new platforms that prioritize open speech and user ownership.
Encourage interoperability between competing social networks.

Parental Empowerment

Give parents better tools to manage children's online exposure.
Require clear labeling for AI-generated and deepfake content.
Ensure age-appropriate protections don't compromise adults' speech rights.

Sovereignty & National Security

Stop foreign adversaries from manipulating our domestic discourse.
Protect American user data from foreign surveillance and theft.
Ensure U.S. election integrity remains free from digital interference.

Why This Matters

When we lose the right to speak, we lose the right to govern ourselves. A society that cannot debate its problems cannot solve them. For Alaska to thrive, we need vibrant, open communities where every voice—from the cities to the North Slope—can be heard without filter or fear.

A Balanced Approach

My plan isn't about giving platforms a free pass for criminal activity; it's about drawing a clear line between illegal conduct and unpopular opinions. We can have a safe internet without sacrificing the freedoms that define the American experience.

My Commitment

I will never back down from protecting your right to speak. I don't care if a viewpoint is liberal, conservative, or anything in between—in Alaska, we respect the right of our neighbors to have their say. I will take this fight to Washington every single day.

The public square has changed. Our commitment to freedom must not.

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