Some newspapers have well known left or right leanings. But its declared and out in the open. Most people thought Facebook news was organically trending. That's the difference here.
Former Facebook Workers: We Routinely Suppressed Conservative News
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Re: Former Facebook Workers: We Routinely Suppressed Conservative News
#22Regardless of political opinion, I think it's disgraceful to only show biased views.
I disagree - It's a private company's prerogative to display whatever content they wish - A competitor could choose to suppress liberal articles. As long as they are not breaking any relevant speech laws, then I see nothing wrong with their actions. If we shut down all biased media, all we'd really be left with is the BBC (although a large number of people would disagree here)
They absolutely have a right to display what they want. However, just as Fox News gets slammed for claiming to be "fair and balanced", Facebook should be shown the same contempt for claiming their news is in any way an actual representation of what is trending on Facebook. They have a right to do it, but that doesn't mean users have to be ok with it. Furthermore, I would much rather have a biased editorial process that is run by people that have at least been exposed to so form of media ethics, than a bunch of tech managers telling recent Ivy-league graduates what to curate.
Re: Former Facebook Workers: We Routinely Suppressed Conservative News
#23It has been blatantly clear something is up with their Trending algorithm when you notice there is a Trending: Hillary Clinton header on top of every single shared Bernie Sanders article. Never once have I seen a Trending: Bernie Sander header.
Given Facebook's influence and the sheer size of their userbase, the potential long-term implications of this particular kind of manipulation are... unsettling.
Re: Former Facebook Workers: We Routinely Suppressed Conservative News
#24I am a conservative and I see nothing wrong with this. It is their software and their servers, after all. I want a collapse in trust in the major social networks. This is the internet we are talking about. Let them suppress, and let them see what happens.
> This is the internet we are talking about. Let them suppress, and let them see what happens. As long as it gets out you mean?
This is the internet we are talking about.
Re: Former Facebook Workers: We Routinely Suppressed Conservative News
#25I am a conservative and I see nothing wrong with this. It is their software and their servers, after all. I want a collapse in trust in the major social networks. This is the internet we are talking about. Let them suppress, and let them see what happens.
From an extremely pure free-market conservative/capitalist approach, sure, there is nothing wrong with this, they can do what they want.
From a basic governmental regulation (Hayek) monopoly approach, FB is the incumbent and it will be extremely difficult for anyone else to gain a foothold here. Regulation ought to make it easier for others to approach the space. They are the single biggest voice in the news at this point, and whatever stances they support has an inestimable advantage in ways that far outstrip campaign finance contributions or lobbying. They may have to be governmentally disrupted to keep their power from becoming too great.
From a consumer labeling perspective, Facebook is profiting off improperly calling articles "trending" that are just their preferred way to view the world.
I just wonder if these articles go far enough to collapse any trust.
Re: Former Facebook Workers: We Routinely Suppressed Conservative News
#26>The former curators, all of whom worked as contractors, also said they were directed not to include news about Facebook itself in the trending module.
Heh, not really a big surprise to me. Rule probably doesn't apply to whenever MZ makes a big announcement though. Betting those got stuck high in the rankings from day 1. Anyway, sounds about right for any image-protective service, or, you know, typical state-run-media censorship.
Re: Former Facebook Workers: We Routinely Suppressed Conservative News
#27It has been blatantly clear something is up with their Trending algorithm when you notice there is a Trending: Hillary Clinton header on top of every single shared Bernie Sanders article. Never once have I seen a Trending: Bernie Sander header.
I suspect this is more a result of the media's heavy pro-Clinton bias rather than any overt attempt by Facebook. Remember that the mainstream media is ultimately the primary driver of these algorithms.
Re: Former Facebook Workers: We Routinely Suppressed Conservative News
#28Some newspapers have well known left or right leanings. But its declared and out in the open. Most people thought Facebook news was organically trending. That's the difference here.
> Most people thought Facebook news was organically trending.
Re: Former Facebook Workers: We Routinely Suppressed Conservative News
#29I am a conservative and I see nothing wrong with this. It is their software and their servers, after all. I want a collapse in trust in the major social networks. This is the internet we are talking about. Let them suppress, and let them see what happens.
From an extremely pure free-market conservative/capitalist approach, sure, there is nothing wrong with this, they can do what they want. From a basic governmental regulation (Hayek) monopoly approach, FB is the incumbent and it will be extremely difficult for anyone else to gain a foothold here. Regulation ought to make it easier for others to approach the space. They are the single biggest voice in the news at this…
FB is the incumbent and it will be extremely difficult for anyone else to gain a foothold here
"Will MySpace Ever Lose Its Monopoly?" (2007): https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2007/feb/08/business....
Re: Former Facebook Workers: We Routinely Suppressed Conservative News
#30Interesting, just last week my friend and I were debating how much Google and Facebook can influence an election.
We agreed it would be catastrophic if either decided to lean one way or the other...
Facebook is essentially suppressing free speech. Although, it has somewhat a right to do what it wants, it is skewing what other people share with one another (which is a big deal)