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by JamisonM 2125 days ago
It seems to me that traditional media has not been algorithmically promoting QAnon or Militia groups to their viewers and that difference is extremely important.

Holding broadcasters accountable is easier than holding "narrowcasters" like Facebook accountable because you don't see what narrowcasters are promoting. But when you do find out you see that it is things that broadcasters would never push both for ethical and commercial reasons. This is important to consider.
2 comments
CompanionCuuube 2124 days ago
> both for ethical and commercial reasons

But primarily commercial reasons related to having a completely different distribution model.

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thu2111 2124 days ago
They've been promoting other ills to their readers instead, e.g. conspiracy theories about Russia. And they do it non-algorithmically, i.e. knowingly, and isn't that worse? At least with an algorithm the creator can claim any independent decision it makes wasn't an intended outcome. Journalists don't get to say that.
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JamisonM 2124 days ago
If you are implying that coverage of Russian election interference is promoting conspiracy theories, then you would need to contend with the actual facts of the Russian efforts to influence US electoral politics to make that case.

Even if you held that coverage of Russia's role in the 2016 election was promotion of a conspiracy theory it would still be an obvious false equivalence to compare that to the promotion of groups like Bugaloo (that has killed multiple federal officers) or QAnon (which has resulted in multiple kidnappings, many other crimes, and promotes the worst antisemetic conspiracies invented, and more far more absurd things).

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