The week that was: the 8 things you need to know
Facebook had another turbulent week after negative publicity when whistleblower Frances Haugen criticized the company’s ethics. At the end of the week, another not-named whistleblower said Facebook has not acted against misinformation that the company was aware of. Website The Verge said Facebook would aim at re-branding by creating an umbrella company as the owner of Facebook, Instagram and its other brands. The company’s Oversight Board said Facebook needs to be more transparent and criticized the management for not correctly answering questions from the Board. Facebook as such, flirted with the EU by announcing that it will hire some 10 000 staff in Europe to create Mark Zuckerberg’s vision – the metaverse – a gigantic network of digital platforms.
Ex-President Donald Trump said he will launch a new social media network, called TRUTH Social that he says will “stand up to the tyranny of big tech”. Trump had his accounts at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter blocked after the storming of the US Capitol in January, as he was accused of inciting violence.
Both Apple and Google launched new devices powered by their own computer chips, actions seen as positive as there is a worldwide lack of semiconductors threatening all types of production. Commentators were positive but were not convinced that it would make Apple and Google independent of the crisis – agreed though that it was a step in the right direction.
Julian Reichelt, editor-in-chief of Germany’s biggest tabloid Bild was relieved of his duties, by publisher Axel Springer SE. The announcement came days after a story in the New York Times said Springer SE, had tried to downplay an investigation of sexual misconduct and bullying at the Bild office. Johannes Boie, 37, editor-in-chief at Welt am Sonntag, is Bild´s new editor-in-chief.
French publishers and Facebook, after two years of negotiations, announced an agreement meaning Facebook will pay publishers for neighbouring rights, allowing Facebook users to keep publishing and sharing news content on the platform.
Sofie Hvitved, Futurist at the Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies in an interview with Moonshot.News talked about IT and Media saying we’ve come to a point where we do need regulation. ”Big Tech is already controlling huge parts of where the democratic public conversation takes place, and the algorithms of Silicon Valley and China are building up.” She argued for more R&D to create new and more ethical algorithms for social media consumption.
Moonshot News is an independent European news website for all IT, Media and Advertising professionals, powered by women and with a focus on driving the narrative for diversity, inclusion and gender equality in the industry.
Our mission is to provide top and unbiased information for all professionals and to make sure that women get their fair share of voice in the news and in the spotlight!
We produce original content, news articles, a curated calendar of industry events and a database of women IT, Media and Advertising associations.
