In 2016, Facebook was suspected to change presidental election result by showing posts and articles that were injurious to candidate Hillary Clinton. Some suspected that Russia was behind the act but there was any evidence yet. However, a greatful amount of Americans have believed in the interferance of the 2016 election. Things have not over yet, but Facebook has recently been called out to involve in upcoming midterm elections. Thomas Knapp has published a blog titled “Facebook Meddles in the 2018 Midterm Elections”, on Counterpunch.org, on October 16,2018 to explain the occurence.
In the blog, he claims that Facebook’s attempt to remove more than 800 pages and accounts that are suspicious to timing ahead of midterm elections, is to interfere politics, under a name of “preventing meddling in politics”. I agree with his arguments that Facebook’s decision in deleting these accounts is unreasonable. In fact, I believe that the political debates they have created actually help participants to think and understand the issues thoroughly. Moreover, Facebook has made the decision by themselves, without any agreement from authority officials. In addition, the author is true to assert that Facebook is becoming more political mainstream and establishment. Since a large amount of Facebook users become more dependent on their newfeeds, Facebook can tremendously affect what they watch and receive information. Among with removal these accounts, Facebook has been against the Freedom of Speech the First Amendment, and monopolized the perceived political center.
The conclusion is a meaningful. It is so true but I have never realized it happened. The mass media always has a huge impact on politics. Facebook and major social media have superseded television and prints to control the elections.
https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/10/16/facebook-meddles-in-the-2018-midterm-elections/
No comments:
Post a Comment