Social media platforms need to be “more accountable” in how they curate and police content on their platforms, or face regulation, the head of Ofcom has said. The threat comes as Facebook stares down a barrage of criticism in the US for its refusal to bar the US conspiracy theorist website InfoWars from its platform, even as it mounts an international ad campaign claiming that “fake news is not our friend”. Writing in the Times on Friday, Ofcom’s chief executive, Sharon White, said: “The argument for independent regulatory oversight of [large online players] has never been stronger. “In practice, this would place much greater scrutiny on how effectively the online platforms respond to harmful content to protect consumers, with powers for a regulator to enforce standards, and act if these are not met.” White highlighted Ofcom research that demonstrated how little trust user have in what they read on social media. “Only 39% consider … [Read more...] about Social media platforms must police their sites better, says Ofcom
How to create a social media strategy for business
Israel’s Social Media War: How The IDF Uses the Internet To Fight Hezbollah
Israel has been fighting Hezbollah on the battlefield for more than three decades, most recently in 2006, but the country is increasingly taking the fight to their Lebanese rivals online too. Israel's chief military spokesman Ronen Manelis told journalists that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) was conducting a "psychological war" against Hezbollah as well as preparing conventional operations against the Iran-backed group. Related: Iran: Israel Will Be 'Eradicated' In Next War With Hezbollah Such operations, Manelis said, included the targeting of Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah. "There won't be a clear victory picture in the next war, though it's clear that Nasrallah is a target," he explained, according to Haaretz. Israel and Hezbollah fought a war against each other in northern Lebanon in 2006, with the Israeli army probing deep into Hezbollah territory in southern Lebanon and bombarding the Lebanese capital, Beirut. But the Shiite paramilitary group emerges from the war in … [Read more...] about Israel’s Social Media War: How The IDF Uses the Internet To Fight Hezbollah
‘Social media followers don’t make you qualified!’ Basketball star Liz Cambage blasts Instagram fitness models and says they ‘don’t have the right to speak about health’
Outspoken women's basketball star Liz Cambage has unleashed on social media influencers, saying they 'aren't qualified' to give health and fitness advice. The 27-year-old Dallas Wings player said that she is 'over' Instagram models 'thinking they have the right to speak about or give classes on health and fitness when they have no training or education on these topics whatsoever'. In a furious Instagram rant, she wrote: '500,000 followers does not mean you can teach yoga. Just because you have a podcast does not mean you're a nutritionist.' Outspoken: Women's basketball star Liz Cambage has unleashed on Instagram influencers, saying they 'aren't qualified' to give health and fitness advice. Pictured right: Tammy Hembrow She continued: 'Be careful who you seek online advice from. Too many people are using the power of social media to put their uneducated voices into the world.' RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next 'Working on my punching power!' The Biggest Loser … [Read more...] about ‘Social media followers don’t make you qualified!’ Basketball star Liz Cambage blasts Instagram fitness models and says they ‘don’t have the right to speak about health’
Stop taking selfies to protect children’s wellbeing, Education Secretary tells social media stars
Online celebrities should stop taking so many selfies and using filters to boost their image because it is damaging the wellbeing of their young followers, says the Education Secretary. Damian HInds says it is leaving their followers obsessed with their body image and with a "warped view" of what is real because so much of what they see on social media is false. He says it can lead to online abuse and depression as children struggle to live up to the unrealistic appearance of the stars. He urged the celebrities ranging from established celebrities such as Kim Kardashian to the new generation of vloggers to use #notedited to promote “real” images of themselves, rather ones manipulated to enhance... … [Read more...] about Stop taking selfies to protect children’s wellbeing, Education Secretary tells social media stars
Meg Mathews mistakes a French model for her own daughter Anaïs Gallagher in social media blunder
Meg Mathews mistook a French model for her own daughter, Anaïs Gallagher, on social media. The former party girl, 53, tagged her only child, 19, in a photograph of Adele Farine, 21, wearing in a backless bodysuit last week. The mix-up was easy to make with the two bearing a striking similarity with their blonde locks and pouty lips. View this post on Instagram I really thought this was nai nai no glasses 🤓 A post shared by Meg Mathews (@megmathewsofficial_) on Dec 3, 2019 at 4:05am PST 'I really thought this was nai nai': Meg Mathews mistook a French model for her own daughter, Anaïs Gallagher, on social media last week Meg shared the image with her 40,000 Instagram followers as she owned up to her mistake, and blamed it on an absence of her glasses. She penned: 'I really thought this was nai nai [Anaïs' nickname] no glasses.' RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next TALK OF THE TOWN: Princess Beatrice cancels her … [Read more...] about Meg Mathews mistakes a French model for her own daughter Anaïs Gallagher in social media blunder
What to ask when you see a social media influencer’s medical post
Pharmaceutical companies, health care providers, and advocacy groups are turning to celebrities and influencers to get their messages out on social media. Regulators are keeping a close eye on them. Ashley Haby's "Southern Suds and Simple Living" Instagram feed is filled with paid lifestyle posts, featuring food and fashion. But when Walgreen's went looking for an influencer to promote its flu shot services, they chose the mother of four who brings with her more than 17,000 followers. A self-described "holistic mom," Haby said her post was not intended to advocate for or against flu shots, but she still got backlash from vaccination opponents. Haby's post made it clear that Walgreen's paid her for the post, but the government has cited other influencers for not including the required disclosures. Actress Julianne Hough was publicly criticized for her Instagram posts raising awareness of endometriosis, which were actually sponsored by the maker of a drug that treats that painful … [Read more...] about What to ask when you see a social media influencer’s medical post
