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It never seemed right that a private company was being put in between public functions and the the public which depends on them. But why? It’s always been tha
by refurb 3y ago
It never seemed right that a private company was being put in between public functions and the the public which depends on them.
But why? It’s always been that way. Before Twitter, it was private radio stations, private TV stations or private newspapers.
- renewedrebecca 3y agoRadio stations & TV stations use public airwaves and actually (used to, not sure now) had to prove they were acting in the public interest to keep their licenses. Doing public announcements were one way they handled that function.
- refurb 3y agoThe internet is a public resource, anyone can “broadcast” on it. In the end it’s still private companies (with the exception of public broadcasters or websites).
- jeromegv 3y agoYou’re being obtuse. You were able to access those news for free. Without any account. Once you had a radio or a tv, it was free and accessible for everyone. Not the same for Facebook or Twitter. Even if technically free, you can be banned, or have your account deactivated because you didn’t give away your phone number as “security measure”.
- martin8412 3y agoOr simply because some algorithm thought you were a bot. Good luck complaining to Google.
- refurb 3y agoYou couldn't access cable news (with some of the highest viewership) without a paid subscription. It's not obtuse, there are a ton of similarities.
- timeon 3y agoYes, but Parent comment has mentioned licenses for those private companies. Also is for example BBC private company?
- zirgs 3y agoMany countries have TV and Radio channels that are funded by the state. The UK has BBC, for example.
- martin8412 3y agoBBC is not state funded.
- zirgs 3y agoThe TV licence is just another tax.
- jjav 3y ago> It’s always been that way. Before Twitter, it was private radio stations, private TV stations or private newspapers. You can listen to TV and radio stations for free without an account or subscription and they can't cancel you (unlike FB/Twitter/etc). Newspapers tecnically you had to buy, but reading the headlines at the newstand was free and you could always go to the library of coffee shop to read the whole thing for free.