There is the term shadow banned being used for the social platform. You may hear from some content creators, ‘I have been shadow banned’ or ‘I no longer get notified when you put content out, you are being shadow banned.’
But what exactly does it mean?
By definition, Shadow banning (also called stealth banning, ghost banning or comment ghosting) is the act of blocking or partially blocking a user or their content from an online community such that it will not be readily apparent to the user that they have been banned.
And by minimizing effect, we mean minimizing effect on the public.
The Why
Let’s face it, the major network media has turned to entertainment. There are no longer ‘real journalism’ occurring, rather these so-called news outlets merely read teleprompters. Who feeds those lines, are up to debate.
The power of persuasion from the news media has shifted to social platforms.
While news consumption from social media seems to be slowing down, the reality is two-third of U.S. adults get their news from social media. Understanding this, it should be no surprise there is a desire to control that content.
These technology companies controlling the social media cannot outright de-platform those content makers they deem unworthy. The backlash and obvious action would be too noticeable.
This was recognized with the Diamond and Silk banning off Facebook. They were seen on Fox news discussing this outright censorship and discrimination.
After denial from Facebook, the run-around, an official answer was finally pulled out of Facebook.
Thu, Apr 5, 2018 at 3:40 PM: “The Policy team has came to the conclusion that your content and your brand has been determined unsafe to the community.”
Source
Due to this public response, the tactics of outright banning, turns to shadow banning.
I Give You Shadow Banning
This practice of shadow banning involves an administrator or system operator hiding posts from a particular user in order to minimize their effect on a readership.
It’s a slow bleed. The content maker continues to create, but their work is slowly being removed from the public’s eyes.
This isn’t just Facebook. All social media platforms appear to be doing this tactic. It is only currently being observed the most by the top social media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, ECT.
Social Media Platforms – Can they Censor?
The quick answer is, they already are. But is this really a violation of freedom of speech?
Types of Censorship
Withholding information. This is when someone gives their side of the story and leave out what is not of their belief.
Altering information. Again, when a person reports without giving the full truth due to beliefs or other ideas.
Destroying or removing information. This means because of disagreement or difference of opinions or ideas your comments will no longer be visible to the public..
Self censorship. This is when you prefer only positives to be displayed about you and your ideas. All negative information is then censored by deletion. The tweets of “President Trump” is a typical example of self censorship. [Source]
This is the current argument. While Social Media publically maintains freedom of thought, they are hypocritical when shadow banning the ideaology they reject.
Recall, Nancy Pelosi wanted to approve what a journalist is and isn’t. This was before Trump, and the term shadow banning. Citizen Journalism was just getting started.
This war on ideaology has been going on for a very long time. I do not see it going away. This is why tactics such as shadow banning are also called the Social Purge.
Matt Cole has high regard for knowledge share. He has a desire to share critical thinking and information. With a Masters in Information Technology and a wide array of certifications, while not working full-time, he wishes to knowledge share through providing insight, information organization, and critical thinking skills.
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