When you sign into Facebook, I’m sure you notice the ‘trending topics’ bar on the right hand side, updating you with current events. I’m sure you also notice that these trending topics lack a certain view point. The social media giant has been under a lot of heat lately after a very unfortunate discovery about their 'trending topics' system. It was revealed that Facebook suppresses and hides conservative geared headlines, meanwhile keeping all of the liberal based ones. Everyone will see what Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton have to say on topics, but conservative views are blocked off, unless of course it’s painting the conservatives in a bad light -- for example, most articles pertaining to our good old friend Donald Trump. It was also revealed through a leak that the trending topics system is not completely a system. Instead, it was revealed that real people monitor these topics and choose them. So while it is based on shares, it cannot be shown on the list without a final OK from one of these workers. Now, I like to see both sides. I went on Facebook today and screenshotted some of these topics, and we can see if they deserved to be put over these conservative issues.
Pretty important articles, huh? They totally deserved to be covering up an entire political party, good job Facebook team!
All jokes aside, many liberals had an inappropriate response to this, which was simply: who cares? As if the conservatives do not matter and everything is OK because they are represented. That mentality is the worst possible one to have. It’s like if you ignored the problems of third world countries because you have food on the table. It’s like ignoring racial barriers in America because you are not being profiled. But in reality, it is a huge problem that everyone should be angry with! How are Americans expected to have coherent and intelligent political conversation if one party is being shushed as if they did not matter. As much as I personally do not agree with the conservative agenda, I will still respect the fact that they are entitled to their opinion, and should not be censored. Just because I do not agree with the fundamental values of that party, their rights shouldn’t be taken, and there should be at least some ground of respect, as thin as it would be. With that in mind, this should not only concern the conservatives. What is stopping any social media from censoring any opinion? Since us Liberals treat the opposing sides censorship as acceptable, if it happens to us, then they will naturally do that same. If both sides speak up and say that this is not OK, then naturally if any other social media tried it, it would happen again. You might be annoyed by seeing the opposing side's opinions, but I’m sure they aren’t too thrilled seeing Bernie Sanders named plastered all over the “trends.” So don’t treat this issue with a laissez-faire attitude. It doesn’t only concern Conservatives, it concerns anyone with an opinion. So show that you do not support this, take the partisan politics away and see the bigger picture. See that it isn’t just one side at risk, but politics in general.