New Social Media Laws? SMC 2(3)

Social Media Communication News: Real-Time Classroom Discussion Starters

Social Media Laws Would Empower Users To Sue

Republicans proposed new state laws that would allow lawsuits against social media companies that block content. The Associated Press reports that about two dozen state legislatures are considering "bills that would allow for civil lawsuits against platforms for what they call the 'censorship' of posts."

In two states, Democrats also are proposing laws that "called for greater scrutiny of big tech."

Civil liability of online sites has been limited under Section 230, which became federal law at the dawn of the Internet. However, many of former President Donald Trump's posts were labeled before he was permanently banned from Twitter. He is appealing a Facebook ban in connection with the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack.

Most constitutional law scholars believe that states do not have legal authority to reverse social media platform insulation from civil lawsuits, but Congress also is considering new legislation to limit anti-trust powers and protect free speech.

Question: Why or why not should social media sites retain special legal protection under Section 230?

#SMC2021 In-Brief

• YouTube plans to reverse its ban on Donald Trump "when the risk of violence decreases," Business Insider reports. The CEO said, "I think it's pretty clear that that elevated violence risk still remains."
•  Parler filed a new lawsuit claiming that it was valued at $1 billion when Amazon AWS removed it from the cloud.
• A new survey finds that, "43% of US residents distrust TikTok and 42.6% distrust Facebook."

Question: Would the ban of Donald Trump from social media sites increase distrust? What could be done to improve social media site trust?

ICYMI: Cat Filter Internet Star

A Texas lawyer's accidental cat filter during a live Zoom court hearing sparked global amusement. The BBC reported that Rod Ponton did not know the event would turn him into a celebrity. 

"I'm here live," Ponton explained. "I'm not a cat."

"In Texas we have a phrase that you can't put toothpaste back in the tube," Ponton says. "If this was going to become an internet sensation I just had to laugh at myself along with everybody else doing so."

Judge Roy Ferguson shared the video, and it became sticky social media content. The judge told other lawyers to make sure their filters are off before joining a live courtroom session.

Question:What other tips would you offer to professionals before they attend a live video meeting?

SMC news is curated for Social Media Communication: Concepts, Practices, Data, Law and Ethics, third edition (2021).

Viral Cat Zooming: SMC 2(2)

Social Media Communication News: Real-Time Classroom Discussion Starters

Cat Filter Internet Star

A Texas lawyer's accidental cat filter during a live Zoom court hearing sparked global amusement. The BBC reported that Rod Ponton did not know the event would turn him into a celebrity. 

"I'm here live," Ponton explained. "I'm not a cat."

"In Texas we have a phrase that you can't put toothpaste back in the tube," Ponton says. "If this was going to become an internet sensation I just had to laugh at myself along with everybody else doing so."

Judge Roy Ferguson shared the video, and it became sticky social media content. The judge told other lawyers to make sure their filters are off before joining a live courtroom session.

Question:What other tips would you offer to professionals before they attend a live video meeting?

#SMC2021 In-Brief

• An Arkansas blogger in a defamation lawsuit cannot protect sources, a judge has ruled. The Associated Press reports that the shield law that protects journalists may not apply in all states. "She's a blogger. She's not a reporter," the judge decided. "She's not (an internet) news source."
• The Capitol Hill mob may have been using Facebook, as well as the Parler app to organize its violence. Forbes reports that Facebook's chief operating officer appeared to downplay the site's role in the siege.
• Deep learning technologies top the ZDNet list of big ideas in 2021. Digital wallets and bitcoin also are being closely watched.
  

Question: What do you think the largest trend will be this year within social media communication? Why?

 

ICYMI: TikTok Branded Content

Content creators are getting help from TikTok. The site launched a Creator portal. It helps TikTok users get started, utilize foundations for success, follow community guidelines, and get paid for content."TikTok Creator Fund rewards creators for doing what they do best — making incredible TikTok videos," the app said. "It’s TikTok’s way of celebrating and supporting creators for their dedication, ingenuity, and spirit."

TikTok also launched a Creator Marketplace that is an "official collaboration platform to connect brands and creators." The site is emphasizing strategic brand marketing campaigns that are likely to compete for attention with Instagram and Snapchat.

Question: What advantages and disadvantages are there for launching a social marketing campaign on TikTok?

 

 

SMC news is curated for Social Media Communication: Concepts, Practices, Data, Law and Ethics, third edition (2021).

Brands Will Pay TikTok Creators: SMC 2(1)

Social Media Communication News: Real-Time Classroom Discussion Starters

TikTok Branded Content

Content creators are getting help from TikTok. The site launched a Creator portal. It helps TikTok users get started, utilize foundations for success, follow community guidelines, and get paid for content."TikTok Creator Fund rewards creators for doing what they do best — making incredible TikTok videos," the app said. "It’s TikTok’s way of celebrating and supporting creators for their dedication, ingenuity, and spirit."

TikTok also launched a Creator Marketplace that is an "official collaboration platform to connect brands and creators." The site is emphasizing strategic brand marketing campaigns that are likely to compete for attention with Instagram and Snapchat.

Question: What advantages and disadvantages are there for launching a social marketing campaign on TikTok?

 

#SMC2021 In-Brief

• Parler failed in the first round of its lawsuit against Amazon. AWS removed the conservative political app after a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, as lawmakers were certifying presidential election results. U.S. District Judge Barbara Jacobs Rothstein wrote that, Parler was likely to lose on its claims of breach of contract, anti-trust, and "public interest."
• The New York Times published "The Complete List of Trump's Twitter Insults." The 45th president left office banned by Twitter and other social media sites for helping incite a riot in his speech to protesters and challenge of election results on social media.
• Google has threatened to remove its search engine in Australia because the country wants news publishers to be paid for search results. "The confrontation highlights Australia’s leading role in the global movement to push back against the outsize influence of U.S. tech giants over the news business," the Associated Press reported.

Question: Why or why not should news publishers be paid for social media site content?

 

ICYMI: TiKTok Post Discloses YouTube Earnings 

A YouTube star, Graham Stephan, recently took to TikTok and disclosed millions in revenue from his video business, Buzzfeed reports. Stephan, a real estate investor, showed more than 517 million YouTube impressions -- 297,477 alone on one day in August. His daily revenue can be as much as $11,000 from 2.5 million subscribers.

Buzzfeed also reported that, "Graham's TikTok already has over 10 millions views, and people have plenty to say in the comments. Some commended him for being so open and honest about his income, and others (like me) are absolutely gobsmacked by the amount. Some are even like, 'dang, maybe I need to get on YouTube.'" Graham has earned more than $3 million, so far, from the YouTube video.

Question: How could you monetize YouTube, Instagram or TikTok videos? What topics would you select? Why or why not would you be able to generate revenue?

 

SMC news is curated for Social Media Communication: Concepts, Practices, Data, Law and Ethics, third edition (2021).