Freedom of Expression: Google and Facebook Targeting Growing Influence of Alternative Media?

Freedom of Expression: Google and Facebook Targeting Growing Influence of Alternative Media?

Alternative online media sites are gaining popularity at the expense of unreliable mainstream sources of news, information and analysis – notably during the  US presidential election coverage, concluded last week, along with every time America goes to war.

The Mainstream Media suppress what everyone needs to know. Their readership and viewership are declining.

Google and Facebook intend halting what they call “fake news” – without explaining virtually everything the media air and publish on major issues is “fake,” vital truths suppressed.

What’s going on? Both Internet companies claim they’re changing their advertising policy to counter misinformation, indicating they’ll monitor content to assure it.

Is censorship intended instead? Will reliable information sources challenging the official narrative be targeted? Will other similar online companies operate the same way?

Is net neutrality threatened? Is online freedom and openness at risk – content available without restrictions, limitations, or discrimination, a level playing field for everyone, the essence of democratic free expression?

A pre-election article discussed covert Google support for Hillary – its searches rigged for her, a way to sway undecided voters to choose her over Trump, while suppressing negative search terms about her.

The Media as well as Google, Facebook, and similar online operations are powerful tools for what power brokers want disseminated, restricting or blocking content they want suppressed.

Speech, press and academic freedoms are vital elements of free societies. Without them all other rights are endangered.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.”

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

Pro Deo et Constitutione – 

Libertas aut Mors Semper Vigilans Fortis 

Paratus et Fidelis 

Joseph F Barber

“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

Whether we are engaging in acts of resistance or creating new, alternative institutions, we need to create sustainable, democratic organizations that empower its members while also protecting against disruption.

Along with direct action and other forms of resistance, a successful movement must also build new institutions based on solidarity, justice and cooperation. From small, worker-owned cooperatives to national advocacy groups, hundreds of thousands of people around the country are working to create democratic and sustainable systems that meet the basic needs of all people.

"When our grandchildren ask us where we were when the voiceless and vulnerable of our era needed a leader of compassion and purpose and hope - I hope we can say we showed up, and that we showed up on time."

http://josephfreedomoranarchy.blogspot.com/2016/11/freedom-of-expression-google-and.html