Writing Analysis Practice: Paper 4 Critical Perspectives: "The Social Dilemma"

Question 1: How does media regulation impact public discourse, and is it effective in addressing concerns about misinformation?

    Media regulation plays an important role in shaping public conversations by setting rules to make sure information is shared responsibly. But its effectiveness is often questioned, especially with social media, where traditional rules struggle to keep up with how fast technology changes. The documentary "The Social Dilemma" (2020) explores how social media algorithms influence user behavior and help spread misinformation, showing the challenges of regulating digital media.

    One major issue in "The Social Dilemma" is how social media platforms use algorithms to keep people engaged, even if it means spreading false information. This relates to Eli Pariser’s idea of the "filter bubble," where people only see content that matches their beliefs, making it easier for misinformation to spread. Traditional media regulation focuses on monitoring content and fact-checking, but social media companies profit from sensational content, making it harder to control false information. Government regulations play a key role in traditional media, with organizations like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforcing rules on fair reporting. However, "The Social Dilemma" shows that social media platforms act as both distributors and curators of content, which makes it unclear whether they should be regulated as news sources. Manuel Castells’ "network society" theory suggests that digital platforms take power away from central authorities, making traditional regulations less effective. Even though people call for stricter oversight, enforcing regulations is difficult. Governments and social media companies struggle to find a balance between preventing misinformation and protecting free speech. Some platforms try to regulate themselves with fact-checking tools and AI moderation, but these solutions don’t always work well and can be influenced by company interests.

    "The Social Dilemma" shows why media regulations need to evolve to address the unique problems of social media. While traditional media regulations help fight misinformation, they don’t fully apply to digital platforms, meaning new strategies are needed to keep public discourse reliable and fair.