Stratechery Twitter, Responsibility, and Accountability
Oct 19, 2020
Explore the clash between traditional media and the internet, spotlighting the fallout from misinformation in journalism. Delve into the media's influence during the 2016 election, particularly regarding Hillary Clinton's emails. Discover the complexities of hack and leak operations and the responsibilities of social media platforms to combat misinformation. Finally, consider the urgent need for accountability in tech, with a proposed framework for content moderation and calls for increased competition.
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Rathergate
- Dan Rather presented documents about George W. Bush's military service that were quickly debunked online.
- This highlighted the internet's potential to improve traditional media accuracy.
WMD Reporting
- Judith Miller's reporting on Iraq's WMDs in the New York Times proved false, demonstrating the limits of relying on certain sources.
- The Times later admitted their insufficient scrutiny of these claims.
Social Media Break
- The New York Times urged a social media break before the 2020 election, citing misinformation.
- However, their own coverage of the 2016 election, particularly the email scandal, arguably played a role in the outcome.
