Sarah Wynn Williams pitches her idea that Facebook has great power for good in the world, an idealism she eventually loses as she works in policy for Facebook.
Social Media and Democracy articles on Democracy Chronicles
This Social Media and Democracy section highlights the ongoing saga of how this new type of communications technology impacts the progress of free and fair elections across the globe. Whether social media brings benefit or harm to democracy is an area of heavy debate. Be sure to also check out our Election Technology section and our articles on Technology Dissidents, the Internet and Voting or Journalism and Free Speech.
On The Basic Problem of US Democracy
We are a tired and busy population trying to understand the news and what’s happening our world through the prism of our own understanding and bespoken realities.
Twitter Changes Boost Autocrats’ Digital Disinformation
Recent changes at Twitter have enabled authoritarian governments in Russia, China, and Iran to amplify propaganda and disinformation.
Rewards Get People To See Truth In Politically Unfavorable Info
People don’t carefully evaluate links for accuracy and that partisanship may be secondary to the rush of getting a lot of likes on social media.
Study: Media Can Reduce Polarization By Telling Personal Stories
Sharing personal experiences and pairing them with facts reduces political dehumanization and increases political tolerance.
Will Generative Artificial Intelligence Kill Democracy?
Experts draw attention to the role played by social media in the violence committed by Bolsonaro supporters on Sunday in Brazil.
How Brazil’s Insurrection Was Fueled By Tech Platforms
Armed with weapons, mobile phones and conspiracy theories, groups [that were created] on Telegram led Brazil’s insurrection.
Field Experiment Shows How Digital Advertising Affects Voter Turnout
Differential mobilization effects of even large digital advertising campaigns in presidential elections are likely to be modest.
China Suspends Social Media Accounts Of Covid Policy Critics
China has closed the social media accounts of over 1000 critics of its COVID-19 policies as it brings back tough anti-virus restrictions.
Twitter Reverses Longstanding Ban On Political Advertising
Twitter says it was relaxing its ban on political and issue-based advertising, a reversal of the company’s approach to paid political speech.