Social media platforms or governments
have the responsibility to raise the standard of the content
available
Argument #1: Social media websites have the resources and
ability to monitor content on their sites The Protect IP Act, enacted by both the senate and
congress requires social media sites, including Facebook, YouTube,
and others to remove content that breaks copyright laws. This law
requires social media sites to be self-disciplined in the area,
meaning they are held responsible for their users and move remove
content that abuses copyright law. (Mackinnon)
In 2013, Facebook implemented its "hands off" policy which increased
its community standards, and restricted hate speech, bullying, and
threats. It then later increased its community standards to include
forms of expression that were unlawful, such as threats, harassment,
and libel (Pohlman) Argument #2: Citizens rely on sites for their information
Reliance on social media for politics was seen clearly when Facebook
released that is had allowed over 400 fake accounts and purchased
hundred of thousands of Facebook ads as part a propaganda campaign.
This criticism intensify given the size and impact it has on its
users and their lives. (Pohlman)
Polarizing memes were a popular tool used during the 2016 political
race with their objective to induce a reaction from the audience
members and create discourse. Each variation would move from site to
site to create more discourse and unease. (Smith) Argument #3: Developed countries are higher
victims of false media from terrorist groups and outside parties Developed countries are more vulnerable to this sense of
false media since they have much at stake, and because globalization
of climate change, terrorism, and economic intensives of foreign
powers. (Dick)
Sources:
Dick, Archie L. “Established Democracies, Internet Censorship and the Social Media Test.” Information Development, vol. 28, no. 4, Nov. 2012, pp. 259–260, doi:10.1177/0266666912461600.
Mackinnon, Rebecca. Stop the Great Firewall of America. 16 Nov. 2011, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/opinion/firewall-law-could-infringe-on-free-speech.html. Accessed 30 Sept. 2019.
Pohlman, Harold L.. Free Speech and Censorship: Examining the Facts, ABC-CLIO, LLC, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/adelphi/detail.action?docID=5755390.
Smith, Christopher A. “Weaponized Iconoclasm in Internet Memes Featuring the Expression ‘Fake News.’” Discourse & Communication, vol. 13, no. 3, June 2019, pp. 303–319, doi:10.1177/1750481319835639.