I recently deleted my Facebook account ( I know... Again, Right!?!) Thing is, this time I used it quite literally for business purposes only. It was a tool for me to gain business, clients and network with potential clients. This post however is not about me leaving Facebook again its about their recent move that just is wrong on so many different levels.
Facebook along with others have positioned themselves to be the bastion of content regulation on the internet. This whole idea of regulating "Fake News" is nothing more to me than beautiful decorated censorship.
When I see these large companies begin to decide that they have the obligation to determine what qualifies as "Real or fake" and taking it a step further to determine whether you see it or not.. Its a a huge red flag.
Don't get me wrong, I... hate...Hate...HATE click bait. You know those ad's that read like
" You're going to Flip when you see how she looks now"
And then it's nothing more than an ad for NONI Juice....THAT I can kinda understand.
Heres my logic. I DO NOT believe there needs to be internet regulation or authorities concerning this issue of less than authentic, misleading or even fake news. I do believe that there should be a massive educational effort to help people to understand what to trust online and what not to trust.
I fear...
That this whole attack on whats considered "Fake News" is a slippery slope with the potential to lead us into complete censorship and the loss of our freedom of speech. Some may disagree, but to be honest it seems that more are completely oblivious that this attack even exist as opposed to being in disagreement.
I GUESS ...
I guess I just hope that everyone just does what they can to ensure that you are on the right side of this. Our Right to freedom of speech are valuable and in my opinion one of the most important that we have. Don't be fooled into thinking that Hillary lost the election because of the internet. I swear that has to be the dumbest thing i've ever heard.
Remember You have rights, not just as an American Citizen.. But as a human.
Don't let them be downplayed by desperate news outlets.
Joe