Social Media and Free Speech

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Where news aggregation on social media goes too far

Facebook was entangled in controversy in 2018 after reports surfaced about its algorithm prioritizing showing misleading news on feeds, specifically during the 2016 United States General Election. They eventually changed their algorithms to where it focuses on the posts and interactions your friends make. But, how are we able to keep those accountable to make sure they aren’t prioritizing misleading information? 

Will it take another controversy to create laws to limit how much influence leaders have over controlling these algorithms? If we wait that long, it may be already too late to react, and we will have misleading information constantly flooding our feeds at precisely the worst time for it. 

With social media ever-evolving, and politicians recently looking to limit free speech on the internet and social media, the people need to act quickly, now more than ever, to protect the spaces online where we are able to convey immediate discourse to everywhere around the world.

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This is a very handy video posted by The Atlantic giving a rundown on the rights of speech that you have on the internet and social media, specifically when interacting with public officials.

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A very funny comic on how politicians are now starting to attempt to slowly censor free speech on the internet.

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The Growing Threat to Free Speech Online

Politicians are threatening to radically change online free speech. That is worrying.

With social media becoming a growing breeding ground of political discourse, politicians are now quietly considering modifying how free speech works on the internet.

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Is it possible to facilitate a space for open dialogue without also facilitating hoaxes, harassment, and threats of violence? Where is the line between authenticity and toxicity? What if, after technology allows us to reveal our inner voices, what we learn is that many of us are authentically toxic?

Andrew Marantz - The New Yorker