Social media’s unintended consequences

Guests: Alexis Madrigal, April Glaser, Alexandra Petri

As the probe into Russian election meddling continues, we are learning more about social media’s role in disseminating misinformation during the 2016 Presidential election has emerged.  There are also problems beyond the election as well. Google’s news algorithm recently spread fake news following the Las Vegas shooting which identified a false suspect. Today on the show, we’ll talk about the role that Facebook, Twitter, and Google play in how Americans get their information and misinformation. We’ll also explore what they should, and shouldn’t, do in order to protect the public from fabrications, pranks, conspiracy theories, hoaxes, and propaganda. We’ll be joined by ALEXIS MADRIGAL of The Atlantic and APRIL GLASER of Slate. Then, we’ll talk about the love-hate relationship that journalists have with Twitter when we’re joined by humor columnist ALEXANDRA PETRI of The Washington Post.