AI censorship targets fact-checkers who rely on primary sources
AI-Powered Censorship: The Iron Curtain of Internet Speech
NewsGuard recently announced its use of AI to automatically prevent American citizens from accessing information online that challenges government and corporate media claims about elections. This means that platforms and search engines, including Microsoft’s Bing, rely on NewsGuard’s ratings to filter out disfavored information sources and topics from social media feeds and online searches. The rise of automated computer code in censorship is rapidly creating an Iron Curtain around internet speech.
Newsguard rates The Federalist as a “maximum” risk for publishing information that Democrats disapprove of, despite The Federalist’s accurate reporting on major stories that NewsGuard-approved outlets spread disinformation about. This includes the Russia-collusion hoax, the Brett Kavanaugh rape hoax, Covid-19 narratives, the authenticity of Hunter Biden’s laptop, and the 2020 George Floyd riots.
Furthermore, NewsGuard directs online ad dollars to corporate leftist outlets while diverting them away from independent conservative outlets. These internet censorship tools, now powered by artificial intelligence, were developed with federal funding.
A recent congressional report highlights the alarming purpose of these taxpayer-funded projects: to create AI-powered censorship and propaganda tools that can shape public opinion by restricting certain viewpoints and promoting others. This poses a significant threat to the First Amendment rights of millions of Americans, as censorship can occur instantaneously and remain largely invisible to its victims.
Various federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of State, are funding AI censorship tools. The National Science Foundation, one of these agencies, has been exposed for attempting to hide its activities from elected lawmakers and targeting media organizations critical of its use of taxpayer funds.
Scott Hale, a censorship technician, envisions a world where aggregate data of censored speech on social media is used to develop automated detection algorithms that immediately censor banned speech online, without any human involvement.
NSF-funded AI censorship tools aim to scrub “misinformation” from the internet, including content that undermines trust in mainstream media and information related to elections and vaccines that the government disapproves of. These tools even seek to influence the beliefs of military families, a demographic traditionally more skeptical of Democrat rule.
Nonprofit censorship organizations funded by federal agencies use ”tiplines” to target speech, even on private messaging apps. AI tools enable the censorship of online speech at a speed and scale beyond human capabilities. Researchers funded by the federal government are specifically targeting conservatives, minorities, residents of rural areas, older adults, and veterans, deeming them incapable of assessing the veracity of online content.
These researchers view individuals who rely on primary sources, such as the Bible or the Constitution, as more susceptible to “disinformation” because they question mainstream sources and recognized experts. Manipulating these individuals into believing government narratives is a key objective.
How does the reliance on AI algorithms to control the flow of information online stifle dissenting voices and threaten the pluralistic nature of the internet?
S that control the flow of information online. The implications of such censorship go beyond partisan politics. They pose a threat to the fundamental principles of free speech and democracy itself.
By relying on AI algorithms to determine what information is accessible and what is not, we are allowing machines to dictate the boundaries of our discourse. This not only stifles dissenting voices but also threatens the pluralistic nature of the internet.
The case of NewsGuard is particularly concerning. By labeling The Federalist as a ”maximum” risk, NewsGuard effectively suppresses alternative viewpoints and independent journalism. The Federalist has consistently reported on stories that mainstream media outlets have either ignored or falsely represented. Yet, by relying on NewsGuard’s ratings, platforms and search engines exclude The Federalist from the public sphere, limiting the diversity of perspectives available to the general public.
Moreover, NewsGuard’s bias is evident in its allocation of online ad revenue. By directing funds to corporate leftist outlets while diverting them away from independent conservative counterparts, NewsGuard not only influences the flow of information but also undermines the financial viability of certain platforms. This creates an unfair playing field where certain voices are favored over others and diminishes the democratic principles of fairness and equal opportunity.
The use of AI in censorship poses even greater concerns. Artificial intelligence, while capable of performing complex tasks, lacks the capacity for nuance and discernment inherent in human judgment. The use of AI algorithms can result in systematic errors and unjust censorship. It prioritizes conformity over diversity, suppressing alternative viewpoints and reinforcing the status quo.
Furthermore, the development of these AI-powered censorship tools with federal funding raises questions about the role of the government in controlling information. This blurs the boundaries between the state and the media, eroding the checks and balances that are crucial for a functioning democracy. It also raises concerns about the potential abuse of power, as the government can use these tools to manipulate public opinion and censor dissent.
To combat the growing threat of AI-powered censorship, it is essential to prioritize transparency and accountability. Companies and organizations that employ AI algorithms for content moderation must be transparent about their methodologies and criteria. Independent audits should be conducted to ensure that these algorithms are not driven by partisan or corporate interests.
Furthermore, there is a need to diversify the voices involved in the development and implementation of AI algorithms. Including perspectives from different backgrounds and ideologies can help mitigate biases and ensure a more balanced approach to content moderation.
Lastly, it is essential to strengthen legal protections for free speech and ensure that they are applicable online. Laws and regulations must be updated to reflect the challenges posed by AI-powered censorship and provide adequate safeguards for the democratic principles of free speech and diversity of thought.
In conclusion, the rise of AI-powered censorship represents a significant threat to free speech and democracy. The use of AI algorithms to control the flow of information online restricts dissenting voices, limits diversity, and undermines the fundamental principles of a democratic society. To address this challenge, transparency, accountability, and legal protections must be prioritized, ensuring that the internet remains an open and fair platform for the exchange of ideas.
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