Recently, Twitter started taking action to “empower healthy public conversation.” Some of these actions include labeling tweets as “potentially misleading” to combat misinformation and disputed or unverified claims as well as hiding tweets that promote violence. Twitter has mentioned that the purpose of these actions is not to fact check but to provide context to prevent harm. While they are not striving to label all misinformative tweets, they began this process by focusing on tweets with the highest potential of harm – those who can reach a large audience. Because of this method, Twitter has taken action against multiple tweets made by President Trump as he tweets misinformation about mail-in ballots and threatening to shoot protestors.
Do you think Twitter should attempt to label ALL tweets that have misinformation or incite violence? Do you think their current approach unfairly targets certain Twitter users? Or do you think they should scrap taking action altogether? How do you think their new policies affect the way people share their opinions or consume information?
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Good questions! I’m not sure what would go into monitoring ALL tweets for violence and misinformation. That seems ideal but impossible. I think Twitter had to draw a line in the sand somewhere and where they decided to draw it seems reasonable to me. In fact, I think it’s long overdue and think that Facebook and all other social media platforms should follow suit and do the same.
Do others feel different?
Agreed, Tammy. I do think it’s a good idea as well, especially given the use of social media by politicians, leaders, and even celebrities or influencers. I assume this is something that is being done with an algorithm, but I do think to do this effectively they will need a team monitoring them closely. Are they doing it with ALL tweets, or are they doing it with verified users that have a clear and recognized platform? I support wherever they decide to take this because I think it is long overdue!
Twitter has not shown a consistency in its policy and it has been selective in its enforcement. I am all for monitoring abusive behavior/language/tweets, but it seems to go only one way. Twitter has not made a secret on of it’s antipathy toward Trump or the GOP.
IndyPat, do you have examples of them not policing others or are the Trump and GOP related tweets the ones that are publicized? I don’t know either way, just wondering if we only hear the media cover one thing.
I did use this opportunity to research the terms of their approach. Please see the link below:
"In March, we broadened our policy guidance to address content that goes directly against guidance on COVID-19 from authoritative sources of global and local public health information. Moving forward, we may use these labels and warning messages to provide additional explanations or clarifications in situations where the risks of harm associated with a Tweet are less severe but where people may still be confused or misled by the content. This will make it easier to find facts and make informed decisions about what people see on Twitter. "