November 8, 2023
Courts and Lawmakers Consider Limits on Social Media Speech
The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing a number of cases that have significant implications for speech on social media platforms. Cases in Michigan and California consider whether public officials can block followers who post critical comments, while the constitutionality of new content moderation laws in Texas and Florida are also being assessed. Rulings are expected by June 2024.
Nearly two decades after the rise of social media, U.S. lawmakers have just begun to assess the long-term health effects on children. Senators recently held a hearing about the impact of social media on America’s teen mental health crisis. Facebook owner Meta has joined a new multi-platform initiative to track and prevent child abuse online. Recent reports indicate one-third of fines administered under Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation law are linked to child data protection.
New Hires, Cutbacks, and Structures Emerge in Shifting Media Landscape
Media groups are making major moves as the industry adapts to shifting audience interests. The Washington Post has selected Will Lewis, former head of the Wall Street Journal, as its new CEO. The Post is hoping Lewis’ business background will boost the paper’s bottom line after a down year of cutbacks and reduced revenue. The New York Times has increased its revenue by 9.3% and surpassed 10 million subscribers, driven by a surge in digital subscribers.
Media conglomerate Condé Nast is cutting 5% of its staff amid a drop in audience engagement across its digital platforms. Following a newfound nonprofit interest in news, The Colorado Sun is donating its shares of state weekly newspapers to the National Trust for Local News. Journalists at Forbes are expressing concern over the publication’s recent acquisition by a Russian business tycoon, citing increased skepticism from sources hesitant to share sensitive information.
News Trust Continues Downward Decline as Young People Look to Influencers for Info
Levels of trust in news have declined across the globe. In-depth research examining audiences from India, Brazil, the U.S., and the U.K. show widespread concern about inaccuracy and bias in journalism. While news skepticism is common, data also indicate audiences are open to trust-building measures to increase credibility.
More audiences are looking to social media for news and information. A new Pew Research Center survey show U.S. adults under 30 now trust information from social media nearly as much as traditional national news outlets. Young people are increasingly relying on social media—surveys have shown a growing number of Gen Z prefer receiving news from influencers, not reporters.
Sequence Summaries: Social Speech, Media Movement, and Opinion Info
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