CIDOB Opinion 649 discusses the impact of social media platforms on political discourse and freedom of expression. The document highlights the role of large tech companies in shaping public opinion and accelerating political polarization, particularly after the January 6th attack on the US Capitol. The platforms' actions, such as banning former President Donald Trump's accounts, have sparked debates around censorship and corporate power.
The report argues that while social media platforms operate under the guise of public spaces, they are actually private corporations that regulate content based on commercial interests rather than public good. This raises questions about their authority to silence a sitting president and whether censorship is the necessary response to misinformation. The relationship between political power and social media is fraught with hypocrisy, as political parties use various digital message amplification techniques without adequate regulation.
In response to these issues, the European Union has pressured large tech companies to regulate practices like micro-targeting and bots, leading them to take steps to mitigate reputational damage from excessive exposure. However, these companies have not limited their algorithms which amplify content, only the content itself. The report suggests that this could be seen as a privatization of censorship.
To address these concerns, the EU proposed the Digital Services Act (DSA) for increased transparency in digital advertising, data sharing, and algorithmic models that favor illegal content. In the United States, there is growing consensus to curb the power of monopolistic tech giants, with several states and the Senate accusing Facebook of illegally stifling competition. The debate centers around the balance between content moderation and freedom of speech, with different sides advocating for platforms to be held responsible for shared content or limiting their ability to act.
Overall, the report emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in social media governance, advocating for regulatory frameworks that ensure fair competition and protect freedom of expression. It calls for a shared concern across continents regarding the monopolistic nature of social media platforms that both shape discourse and wield significant economic power.
