Trustee Elections
These are the original issues in this subcategory
- MEDIA DIVERSITY
- FAIRNESS DOCTRINE
- SOCIAL MEDIA DISINFORMATION
The business model of most social media platforms depend on advertising revenue for success. Often, the pressure for growth and user-engagement take precedent over displaying truthful content. This tactic may be good for business but advocates warn it is very harmful to our society. Algorithms employed by these firms amplify disinformation, conspiracy theories and hate speech to trigger outrage and fear among viewers - ensuring these items will be widely shared and reposted. Critics claim these policies allow extremist groups such as anti-vaxxers, climate change deniers, white supremacists (and Russia) to appear more popular than they actually are, and to enjoy more support than they really do.
Facebook and other platforms are aware of these effects but repeated attempts to adjust their algorithms have been repeatedly ignored, diluted or deliberately shut down by company officials. In 2018, Facebook managers reportedly told employees the company’s priorities were shifting “away from societal good to individual value.” Advocates say Instagram and You Tube are just as bad as Facebook in this regard. Only Twitter has made changes to project more truthful content. Advocates claim that addressing urgent social issues may not be possible without first getting social media disinformation under control.
Pending Legislation: H.R.4653 - Social Media Accountability and Account Verification Act
Sponsor: Rep. Adam Kinzinger (IL)
Status: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Chair: Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ)
Facebook and other platforms are aware of these effects but repeated attempts to adjust their algorithms have been repeatedly ignored, diluted or deliberately shut down by company officials. In 2018, Facebook managers reportedly told employees the company’s priorities were shifting “away from societal good to individual value.” Advocates say Instagram and You Tube are just as bad as Facebook in this regard. Only Twitter has made changes to project more truthful content. Advocates claim that addressing urgent social issues may not be possible without first getting social media disinformation under control.
Pending Legislation: H.R.4653 - Social Media Accountability and Account Verification Act
Sponsor: Rep. Adam Kinzinger (IL)
Status: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Chair: Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ)
- I oppose reforming current social media disinformation policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA).
- I support requiring a social media company to remove a deceptive or fraudulent account or profile from its platform and to verify the creator of an account that is alleged to be deceptive or fraudulent by:
1.) Requiring a social media company to establish a means whereby a user may request the investigation and removal of a deceptive account or profile.
2.) Requiring the social media company to expeditiously remove or disable access to a deceptive account or profile and any materials or messages published therefrom.
3.) Requiring a social media company to notify a user who submits such a request of any reasons underlying a determination that an account or profile is not deceptive.
4.) Requiring a social media company to take escalating actions against an individual who makes false or bad faith requests for the investigation and removal of an account or profile.
And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
- I support requiring a social media company to remove a deceptive or fraudulent account or profile from its platform and to verify the creator of an account that is alleged to be deceptive or fraudulent by:
1.) Requiring a social media company to establish a means whereby a user may request the investigation and removal of a deceptive account or profile.
2.) Requiring the social media company to expeditiously remove or disable access to a deceptive account or profile and any materials or messages published therefrom.
3.) Requiring a social media company to notify a user who submits such a request of any reasons underlying a determination that an account or profile is not deceptive.
4.) Requiring a social media company to take escalating actions against an individual who makes false or bad faith requests for the investigation and removal of an account or profile.
And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
There has been $0.00 pledged in support of this issue
Trustee Election - Opening Date
September 20, 2021
Trustee Election - Closing Date
September 27, 2021