Content Rules?! Newsfeeds, Algorithms, Content Moderation, and Ethics

As online content evolves it plays an increasingly important role in society. Newsfeeds, search results, and other social content intermediate news and information, influence business decisions, and shape opinions. Platforms, such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit deliver the content that shapes public opinion and behavior.

The current controversy over fake news has made this an issue of public concern.

Our panel will address the technical and ethical questions raised by the social, political, and economic impact of the increasing prominence of thes​e algorithmically negotiated information spaces, including:

• Should these platforms be considered public spaces?
• What are the impacts of (algorithmically) moderated content?
• Should the public have a right to see and know the algorithms being used to moderate and control content?
• At what point do we consider private platforms as media?