The Origin of the Term
Free speech doesn't matter if it doesn't reach the public.
The phrase 'freedom of speech, not freedom of reach' was uttered by Elon Musk and refers to the idea that while individuals have the right to express themselves, social media platforms can limit the visibility or distribution of certain content. This means that most services (like X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok etc) can freely choose to restrict the reach of any post, even if those posts don't violate the law. They have total control over who sees what. Whether we go viral or something is seen at all.
On the other hand, the #SocialWeb promises #DemocracyOfReach. Only the public decides. No companies have any say at all. Collectively, the people decide just by ignoring or boosting what is shared by the people they follow. No algorithms or advertising. That's not just a fix for the corrupting power of social media companies, but if everybody was on a shared and open network, it could address the overwhelming influence that mass media owners have always had on culture.
That's the revolutionary potential we have here.