Social media giants are taking different approaches to
political discussions and news coverage as major votes near, which could impact
outcomes.
As worldwide elections approach in 2022 and 2023, leading
social platforms Facebook, Twitter and TikTok are each adjusting their policies
around political content and debate. These changes come as online discussions
have increasingly influenced offline votes, yet also led to accusations of
spreading misinformation.
Facebook owner Meta continues distancing itself from news
following past scandals. The company recently ended its Facebook News tab and
partnerships with publishers, reducing professional news to under 3% of feeds.
Meta says this follows user feedback disliking divisive political posts and is
meant to emphasize entertainment. Critics argue less political information
could hurt voter awareness.
Meanwhile, new Twitter owner Elon Musk positions the site as
a free speech champion welcoming all opinions. Musk himself regularly weighs
into heated issues, potentially swaying millions of followers. While open
debate is important, experts warn Twitter now risks amplifying misleading
claims without checks. Its community-led fact-checking through Notes also seems
ineffective at reaching consensus on complex topics.
TikTok walks a fine line as a Chinese-owned app. It does not
want to be seen influencing elections but must also avoid censoring
discussions. Like Facebook, TikTok utilizes algorithmic recommendations over
targeted political ads or news articles. However, viral videos can still spread
partisan narratives.
All three platforms face difficult choices in moderating
political debates that move offline. A hands-off approach may suit business
interests by avoiding accusations of bias, but risks real-world consequences if
certain narratives or candidates gain undeserved traction. More active
fact-checking and labeling comes with its own critique of censorship.
For voters and campaigns, navigating the political landscape
on social media will remain a challenge. With each major platform shifting its
approach, misleading or exaggerated claims may find new homes online. Those
looking to make informed decisions at the ballot box will need to get input
from a variety of credible SMM panel sources.
Great SMM offers social media management and other digital
services to help businesses and organizations navigate these complex issues.
Our SMM panel can provide insight into platform policies and build strategies
that align with your organizational values. By gaining a deeper understanding
of the online political environment, we help clients make the most of social
opportunities while mitigating risks. Contact us today to learn more.
