Jacob Sullum, a journalist at Reason magazine, discusses the complex landscape of censorship and social media bias, examining how political narratives shape crime perceptions. He highlights disparities in moderation based on ideological lines. Kristen Bellstrom, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist, uncovers the long-term decline of trust in American institutions since the 1970s and the underlying factors contributing to this erosion. The conversation emphasizes the need for transparency and grassroots efforts to rebuild confidence in government and media.
Political bias in social media censorship is evident, as moderation decisions may be influenced by the quality of sources cited by users.
The significant decline in trust in American institutions since the 1970s highlights a need for more engagement at the local governance level to rebuild confidence.
Deep dives
Censorship and Political Bias in Social Media
A study examined the relationship between political ideology and censorship on social media platforms, particularly Twitter. It found that Republicans were more likely to face suspensions, especially during the 2020 presidential election, often due to citing lower-quality sources of information. This indicates that moderation decisions may be influenced by inherent biases in identifying misinformation, which is subjective and contentious. The findings suggest that while political bias could play a role in censorship, it may also relate to the quality of sources utilized by users, raising questions about the fairness of platform policies.
Interpreting Crime Data in America
The discussion around crime rates in the U.S. highlighted two primary sources of crime data: the FBI's reported statistics and the National Crime Victimization Survey. The Trump campaign favors the latter, which tends to show significant increases in crime, especially in violent crime categories, while the FBI data indicates a decline in recent observations. There has been debate about the reliability of these sources, particularly in light of changes in law enforcement reporting practices. Ultimately, both sources have shown trends toward declining crime rates in recent surveys, challenging the narrative that crime is on the rise.
Distrust in Government and Historical Context
The trend of declining trust in government institutions has been significant since the 1970s, with only 22% of Americans trusting the federal government by last year compared to 73% in 1958. Factors contributing to this decline include notable historical events like Watergate, the Civil Rights Movement, and changing immigration patterns that have diversified society. This distrust appears paradoxical, as the public perceives the government as increasingly influential in their lives. Scholars argue that low and declining trust, while problematic, may partially arise from living in a pluralistic society where differing backgrounds necessitate greater effort to build trust.
The Role of Local Government in Rebuilding Trust
Local government has emerged as a focal point for efforts to restore public trust in governance, with many Americans expressing greater trust towards local institutions compared to federal ones. Organizations like Civic Lex work to engage citizens directly within their local governments, aiming to foster trust through community involvement and transparent governance. This grassroots approach may pave the way for better understanding and interaction between citizens and their local officials, leading to potential improvements in overall governmental credibility. Emphasizing local governance could empower citizens to feel their participation matters, contrasting the often distant nature of federal politics.
Ravi speaks with Reason’s Jacob Sullum about censorship, social media bias, and the link between political bias and platform moderation. They then turn to America’s crime rates, analyzing how Trump and Harris have used competing narratives on crime to shape public perceptions in the lead-up to the election and the real factors influencing crime trends.
Ravi then welcomes Bloomberg’s Kristen Bellstrom to the show to discuss her series on the erosion of trust in American institutions. They explore how and why trust has been declining since the 1970s and what can be done to rebuild confidence in government, media, and business.
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