TIK TOK RESTRICTIONS
01/13/2025
Editor’s Note:
As both a Tennessee state legislator and an MTSU marketing student graduating with a second bachelor’s degree in media, I find myself at a unique crossroads in the TikTok debate. While my legislative vote supported restricting TikTok due to national security concerns, my experience in Dr. Raj’s digital marketing course has shown me the platform’s undeniable marketing power and cultural impact.
Dr. Raj, my professor and a TikTok influencer, has no doubt demonstrated how the media platform revolutionizes digital marketing and connects businesses with younger audiences.
His success as a celebrity content creator highlights the opportunities the platform provides for both American entrepreneurs and educators. While in class, I took the liberty to do a quick survey. I asked the students, “How many of you watch Channel 2, 4, 5 or Fox 17?” Not one hand went up. I wasn’t surprised. I’m reminded of what Bob Dylan once said, “The Times They Are A-Changin’.”
My position as a lawmaker requires me to prioritize national security—taking an oath of office “swearing to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Tennessee and to perform their official duties impartially without favor or prejudice and to always protect the rights of the people.” The proposed solution – requiring Chinese divestment rather than an outright ban – seems to balance these competing interests. It would preserve the platform’s innovative marketing potential while at the same time addressing security concerns.
My perspective is formed by both classroom experience and legislative responsibility, suggests that we’re not choosing between security and innovation, but rather seeking a way to have both. The challenge lies in protecting American interests while preserving the digital marketing opportunities that Dr. Raj and countless others have successfully leveraged.
Dr. Larry Burriss: TikTok
Last week the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments about restricting the social media service Tik Tok. Freedom of speech was pitted against the dangers of the Chinese government having access to data on millions of American citizens.
What seemed to get lost in the arguments is the fact that there are already numerous restrictions on free speech and press, some of which might surprise you.
For example, foreign entities are not allowed to own television or radio stations. So is that a restriction on speech or a restriction on technology?
Copyright law prohibits you from using someone else’s creative work without their permission.
The Food and Drug Administration does not allow you to make unverified health claims about medicines or food.
Child pornography is punishable by severe jail time.
All of these are current restrictions on what you can say or publish.
Now here’s an interesting question: can you voluntarily give up your First Amendment rights?
Marketing Professor and Content Creator Dr. Raj Discusses His TikTok Journey
Well, government officials do that all the time when they sign nondisclosure agreements. In fact, under some nondisclosure agreements you can’t even write a somewhat-related novel after you leave government service unless you get permission from security review officials who can easily censor you.
In fact, the Supreme Court has always said free speech and free press are not absolute rights. The Court has always acknowledged there are limits on what we can say and publish.
Actually, Tik Tok is not being banned at all. The government is simply saying that if Tik Tok wants to operate in the United States, then the Chinese government must sell it off.
So the issue is really one of money, not principle.
Over the years we have seen numerous “greatest of all times” service providers, and when one of these greatest of all times goes out of business, some new entrepreneur has created a new greatest of all times application.
So users may have to switch services, but that hasn’t stopped them before, and it wouldn’t stop them now.
Years ago, media sociologist Marshall McLuhan proclaimed, “The medium is the message.” True, but controlling the medium is not the same as controlling the message.
I’m Larry Burriss.
