4 ms·

If the populace isn’t aware they’re being fighting authoritarian censorship then I’d question if they are experiencing authoritarian censorship.

Clubber 5y ago
That's kinda the point of censorship though isn't it? So the populace doesn't know things. I didn't know the US was requesting journalistic takedowns on Twitter until today. Keep in mind, the same government is also threatening anti-trust action and subpoenaing CEOs of these companies, while making these requests, so I would consider that a coerced request. I request that you let me search your car or you go to jail isn't really a request.
- cwkoss 5y ago
  Yesterday, buried in an article about combatting vaccine fearmongers, a pretty disturbing snippet was included: "Biden allied groups, including the Democratic National Committee, are also planning to engage fact-checkers more aggressively and work with SMS carriers to dispel misinformation about vaccines that is sent over social media and text messages." https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/12/biden-covid-vaccination-campaign-499278 https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/12/biden-covid-vaccina... Though the goal in this case is seemingly well-intentioned, the idea of the government inspecting and editorializing private communications is incredibly worrying to me. I don't trust feds to perpetually restrict this capability to only public health... Imagine if Trump had the capability to append "fact checks" with any SMS that included a link on articles which cast him in a negative light.
  - Clubber 5y ago
    Yes, I'm aware of that and it's hardly being reported on. It's very disturbing. >Though the goal in this case is seemingly well-intentioned I'm not even sure it's well intentioned, that is just the excuse they are giving. "For the children," was often the reason given for constantly ramping up the drug war and mass incarceration. It makes a good headline.
cwkoss 5y ago
"Remember, it’s illegal to possess’ WikiLeaks Clinton emails, but ‘it’s different for the media,’ says CNN’s Chris Cuomo" https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2016/10/17/remember-its-illegal-to-possess-wikileaks-clinton-emails-but-its-different-for-the-media-says-cnns-chris-cuomo/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/201... I think keeping the general public in the dark about censorship is a fundamental part of it. Leadership of newspinion shows are certainly aware that restrictions to free speech will increase the power of their businesses. See also: NSA director lied to congress about scope of surveillance dragnet, and continues to deny that was a lie. https://apnews.com/article/33a88feb083ea35515de3c73e3d854ad https://apnews.com/article/33a88feb083ea35515de3c73e3d854ad

Clubber 5y ago

That's kinda the point of censorship though isn't it? So the populace doesn't know things. I didn't know the US was requesting journalistic takedowns on Twitter until today. Keep in mind, the same government is also threatening anti-trust action and subpoenaing CEOs of these companies, while making these requests, so I would consider that a coerced request. I request that you let me search your car or you go to jail isn't really a request.

cwkoss 5y ago
Yesterday, buried in an article about combatting vaccine fearmongers, a pretty disturbing snippet was included: "Biden allied groups, including the Democratic National Committee, are also planning to engage fact-checkers more aggressively and work with SMS carriers to dispel misinformation about vaccines that is sent over social media and text messages." https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/12/biden-covid-vaccination-campaign-499278 https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/12/biden-covid-vaccina... Though the goal in this case is seemingly well-intentioned, the idea of the government inspecting and editorializing private communications is incredibly worrying to me. I don't trust feds to perpetually restrict this capability to only public health... Imagine if Trump had the capability to append "fact checks" with any SMS that included a link on articles which cast him in a negative light.
- Clubber 5y ago
  Yes, I'm aware of that and it's hardly being reported on. It's very disturbing. >Though the goal in this case is seemingly well-intentioned I'm not even sure it's well intentioned, that is just the excuse they are giving. "For the children," was often the reason given for constantly ramping up the drug war and mass incarceration. It makes a good headline.

cwkoss 5y ago

"Remember, it’s illegal to possess’ WikiLeaks Clinton emails, but ‘it’s different for the media,’ says CNN’s Chris Cuomo" https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2016/10/17/remember-its-illegal-to-possess-wikileaks-clinton-emails-but-its-different-for-the-media-says-cnns-chris-cuomo/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/201... I think keeping the general public in the dark about censorship is a fundamental part of it. Leadership of newspinion shows are certainly aware that restrictions to free speech will increase the power of their businesses. See also: NSA director lied to congress about scope of surveillance dragnet, and continues to deny that was a lie. https://apnews.com/article/33a88feb083ea35515de3c73e3d854ad https://apnews.com/article/33a88feb083ea35515de3c73e3d854ad