The year is winding down, as we all celebrate our holidays or just chill out as 2023 comes to an end, let’s take a look back while also looking to what lies ahead. Better yet, I’ll discuss what lies ahead and I’ll scare you if you aren’t already aware, though I firmly believe you are…
Freedom of speech is an ongoing debate and will certainly escalate in 2024. After all, next year is the presidential election here in the U.S., but other events will happen next year. As political and social events intensify as we head into the new year, we will see the meaning of freedom of speech and how it should be defined in our Internet age be debated over and over - as if it is not being debated already; many thanks to Elon Musk.
One thing I can say is that freedom of speech is often defined by us individuals and what we want to hear, rather than the very idea of everyone’s thoughts being broadcasted for all to hear, analyze, or scoff at. As Noam Chomsky once famously said, “If you believe in freedom of speech, you believe in freedom of speech for views you don’t like.”
So what is going to happen next year as the world events get more tense and debates on social media, on college campuses, on podcasts, during protests, election campaigns and so on? Freedom of speech debates will become equally more tense.
While we are on the subject, social media will be tested like never before. As 2024 offers the U.S. Presidential Election, the ongoing wars in Israel/Palestine and Ukraine, and the elections in Ireland following its recent far-right riots, and many other conflicts, social media will become a more intense battleground unlike previous years. X/Twit will become more ruthless than it is now, especially with Alex Jones now allowed to post his vile conspiracy theories. New platforms such as Mastodon, Threads, BlueSky, and others will definitely be tested as political and emotional tensions rise. The powers-that-be of these platforms will be tested on what would be allowed to be posted or not, as freedom of speech and the fight against misinformation go into a harsh head-to-head. It also wouldn’t help that bots, trolls, and far-right extremists will make their way onto these platforms (they already are) to stir up digital turmoil that could just spill over into real life in many ways.
And if that weren’t bad enough, I truly believe 2024 will see AI, deepfakes, and everything else will be weaponized during the above global events, particularly the elections. In fact, all the horrors that come with AI are just getting started. In recent weeks, teenage girls in New Jersey and a town in southern Spain became the victims of fake AI pictures of them naked. It turns out that the boys these girls, in two different parts of the world, went to school with, made these AI images based on their social media photos.
That sounds pretty terrible for any parent to worry about. But regarding the presidential election, what else can happen? There are already hints of the danger AI can do. There was a deepfake of Hillary Clinton endorsing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Tell me more isn’t bound to happen in hopes of influencing the election?
Oh heck, since voices can be used in deepfake style, imagine getting a phone call from your senator or congressmember telling you something about either Donald Trump or Joe Biden? And it is outrageous and devastating to hear? Only, that phone call was entirely fake.
And you were swayed by that fake phone all to vote for the other guy.
Or you are so confused and puzzled over what you just heard on the phone and what your family, your neighbors, your local news, your local political leaders and so on, are all telling you different things because of that message, that you give up because you no longer what to believe?
And who will be ruling the country and/or world then? I think many of us have been aware that the average people do not have as much power as we have been taught we have. It seems as if the billionaires, the elites, the celebrities, etc., all who know how to harness the power of their position and how easily their fans and supporters will eat up what they say, are the ones in power. And they are surrounded by a team to make sure we stay under a spell of some sort to follow what they say and do. I mean, public relations and all.
Some are more aware than others. Some are more prepared to face the tension that will happen in 2024. It all depends on age, gender, political party, and which part of the country you are in. People worldwide want different things for their countries than we want for them.
But we will have to be aware of our surroundings, so to speak. What words are said. What images are used. Who is saying what and where are they saying it. Read between the lines over and over. It depends on the future you want.
Are you ready for 2024?
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Dear readers,
This has been quite a year for us all, but I hope this newsletter has been a source of perspective as we navigated 2023 between the news media, social media, and ourselves. I look forward to providing more thoughts on media literacy and understanding the world around us through the lens of the media, and vice versa.
I also appreciate your readership and your support during this year, which makes this newsletter all worthwhile even with my crazy schedule.
Until then, may you and your loved ones have a Happy Holidays, and a safe and healthy New Year.
See you in 2024!
Best wishes,
Megan