Now I'm not one to rock the boat...?

Question

but then again I've put up with stifled free speech before and seen many other people suffer it's effects as well. Certain websites have Gestapo-esque censorship tactics as far as silencing people who's opinions do not agree with theirs (even if it doesn't violate their rules or policies) and people they do not like (IE: banning people, blocking them, etc) often times said websites advisers say or do some of the same things resulting in a hypocrisy that leads to anger and disorder. I guess what I'm trying to say is, (and these websites shall remain nameless for now,) how can people put up with such tyranny and oppression, silencing and aggressive enforcement of one-sidedness? As an American I'm appalled that some websites could hold such authorities over content in such distasteful manners and keep a straight face.

Answer 1

You are right.  It is sad that website operators can't be a little more honest and open. Censorship is a symptom of fear, and we all know what they are afraid of, eh?

Answer 2

Those web sites are proprietary. Owned as private businesses. There is no requirement for them to follow the dictates of the First Amendment. They don't even have to offer any feature which involves the posting of opinions.

Freedom of the press belongs solely to those who own the press.