Comment by bradleyy
2 months ago
The buried lede:
```Populists exploit ad marketplaces, using them to bypass traditional media gatekeepers```
I want to believe that the author is hopelessly naive, and not a more nefarious actor. These traditional media gatekeepers are not by any means friendly to democracy; they're literal tools of the state, and actively work against the interests of the populace. I say this without a hint of irony: I trust social media more.
It's always the same story. I'm mad trump or some "right leaning" party won so this is what we can do to prevent that by being authoritarian "to fight fascism" and "the greater good".
It's not an honest what if because it finds no downsides or tradeoffs nor does it try to define what exactly would be ilegal.
Citation needed. I'll take a free media which is held accountable for not misstating basic facts over social media any day of the week.
There are literally thousands. e.g. [1] [2] . Are you remotely serious about "free media"? There is no free media. Never was, not ever.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_in_the_United_State... [2] https://www.wallis.rochester.edu/assets/pdf/wallisseminarser...
Then you'll be thoroughly disappointed by US media. It's also not just about misstated facts, but facts they don't state at all when it is convenient for them.
I also say this without a hint of irony: I don't trust two shits on either side of the aisle.