The media and news industry set the narrative for society. Their role in society is absolutely necessary, especially because they also play a major role in protecting free expression. The media is capable of bringing large amounts of attention to attacks on free expression from any sector. Their role as watchdog pushes them to maintain private companies and the government accountable.
The media operates separately from the government, but they can shape policy in their own way. The media’s greatest power is attention, and they can bring large amounts of attention to policy of importance to the public. The Oversight Board gives us some insight into how social media companies create their policy. Other media and news companies can follow suit and organized boards that
One of the biggest setbacks the media suffers from is its need for profit. Here in the US most media is operated under a private business, meaning they work towards a profit as opposed to working for the benefit of society. The current system has led the American population towards becoming an attention environment, where attention is the main goal, not being used as a tool.
The media is going to need backing from our federal government in order to hold accountable the top executives of companies when their service or products fail. The government will have to enact at least some regulations on social media companies, empowering them to use their own rules to protect free expression.
One rule that has to be changed is section 230 which gives media companies intermediary immunity. Some form of immunity is required, but when it comes to not properly handling the rise of a hate movement or even encouraging one for engagement, companies should have some form of legal liability. Jack Balkin from Knight First Amendment Institute actually argues using intermediary immunity as leverage against social media companies to encourage them to regulate their own platforms so the government isn’t forced to intervene.
Our media is a powerful institution that will likely be here long after any human currently alive. It is an incredibly effective tool that, if used correctly, can be used to educate our public on freedom of expression and how to navigate the internet safely. They are also very effective at creating pressure campaigns to push companies into changing controversial rules or bring attention to a new social movement. We can’t afford to mishandle our media and let our opportunity slip to regulate and manage communication policy.
