Freedom of Expression: Google and Facebook Targeting Growing Influence of Alternative Media?

Alternative online media sites are gaining popularity at the expense of unreliable mainstream sources of news, information and analysis – notably during the  US presidential election coverage, concluded last week, along with every time America goes to war. The Mainstream Media suppress what everyone needs to know. Their readership and viewership are declining. Google and Facebook intend halting what they call “fake news” – without explaining virtually everything the media air and publish on major issues is “fake,” vital truths suppressed. What’s going on? Both Internet companies claim they’re changing their advertising policy to counter misinformation, indicating they’ll monitor content to assure it. Is censorship intended instead? Will reliable information sources challenging the official narrative be targeted? Will other similar online companies operate the same way? Is net neutrality threatened? Is online freedom and openness at risk – content available without restrictions, limitations, or discrimination, a level playing field for everyone, the essence of democratic free expression? A pre-election article discussed covert Google support for Hillary – its searches rigged for her, a way to sway undecided voters to choose her over Trump, while suppressing negative search terms about her. The Media as well as Google, Facebook, and similar online operations are powerful tools for what power brokers want disseminated, restricting or blocking content they want suppressed. Speech, press and academic freedoms are vital elements of free societies. Without them all other rights are endangered.