September 27, 2023
Expanding Equity Requires Intention and Consistency
Despite public promises, many media organizations have failed to deliver on diversity, equity, and inclusion. To make a measurable impact, more newsrooms, agencies, and funders must act intentionally and consistently. Creating employee affinity groups, fostering mentorship, and providing clear pathways for advancement can establish an equitable environment for agencies.
Research indicates philanthropic dollars committed to Black, Indigenous, and people of color-led media organizations are often siphoned off to intermediary groups. More news outlets are recognizing that authentic audience engagement begins with staff that represent the communities they serve. Cultural consultants are increasingly in-demand as communicators aim to produce appropriate content.
Social Media Platforms Address New Policies and Protocols
An ever-changing social media landscape is shifting with new policies and protocols. X, formerly Twitter, is moving toward a monthly payment system for all users—a policy that could drive more away from the struggling social media platform. Newcomer Threads is underperforming Meta’s expectations as the app continues to undergo improvements. LinkedIn has benefited from competitor missteps with record engagement and a growing user base.
Congress and courts are reining in social media platforms with litigation and regulation. Momentum continues building against TikTok—18 state attorneys general are urging a federal judge to reject challenges to Montana’s statewide ban of the app. The U.S. Supreme Court has extended a lower court’s decision to limit social media companies’ contact with federal government officials.
Efforts to Combat Misinformation Impeded by Litigation
As misinformation becomes easier to produce and proliferate, public and private groups are becoming less empowered to combat it. Organizations tasked with tracking election misinformation, such as Stanford’s Election Integrity Partnership, are scaling back efforts amid ongoing litigation. Facing regulatory pressure, the National Institutes of Health has suspended a program that flagged false medical claims on social media.
Although misleading messages are harder to manage online, new legal precedents may deter cable news media from intentionally broadcasting falsehoods. Following Fox News’ record defamation payout, Dominion Voting Systems is suing Newsmax for $1.6 billion in a trial that will begin next fall.
Sequence Summaries: Equity Intention, Platform Policies, and Misleading Messages
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