Posted on 08/26/2010 1:41:13 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
AlterNet is claiming that it has uncovered a "widespread campaign of censorship" executed by a group of "influential" conservative and right-wing Digg members.
The site - which defines itself as a viable "alternative to the commercial media onslaught" - refers to Digg as both a "behemoth" and a "powerhouse."
"The [Digg] model [makes] it very susceptible to external gaming whereby users from certain groups attempt to push their viewpoint or articles to the front page to give them traction," claimed senior news editor "Oleoleolson."
"But the inverse of this effect is more devastating, as Bury brigades could effectively remove stories from the upcoming sections by collectively burying them."
According to Oleoleolson, a nefarious conservative group known as the "Digg Patriots" is so "organized and influential" that it is capable of burying over 90% of articles within 1-3 hours.
"This group is the heart of a complicated web on various networks, including Twitter, Propeller, StumbleUpon, YouTube and Facebook, all dedicated to ramming an extreme right wing viewpoint down the throats of those communities and censoring opposing viewpoints," he alleged.
"This includes such means as cyber stalking, bullying and terror. There is also a heavy contingent active on the ultraconservative FreeRepublic."
Oleoleolson - who described the Digg Patriots as "Teabagging wingnuts" - also accused the group of "loving to hate."
"They hate Obama. They hate progressives. They hate the UN, diplomacy, and peace/disarmament efforts. They hate reforms of health care, Wall St., and immigration. They hate science, in fact many are creationists.
"They hate the secular nature of our nation. They hate environmental protection, unions and any attempt to level the playing field to give all Americans economic opportunities. They hate abortion rights. They hate public schools and really hate higher education."
Unsurprisingly, Digg reacted cautiously to AlterNet's rather hysterical charges, saying only that it had begun an investigation of the allegations.
"[We are] focused on launching digg v4, but we're looking into this," Digg spokesperson Kevin Rose confirmed in a Twitter post.
When pressed for additional details, a Digg PR rep told TG Daily "that's all we are saying for now."
Oh, noes! He's discovered ... Digg!!! And its format.
Oleoleolson free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was banned from Digg, claiming that I was part of a “pro-Israel” conspiracy.
It was kind of bizarre; 90% of my post had to do with cars.
I posted a couple of things in response to lies about Israel and -— immediately -— banned, no explanation.
So, what is Digg? I’ve never heard of it, nor have I heard of AlterNet. But as far as FR involvement is concerned, I suspect, if true, it would be by individual members, on their own initiative. I don’t see how that reflects on FR...
When the Right does this, its an agenda-pushing conspiracy.
When the Left does this, it’s “getting the word out.”
Speech censorship and net neutrality, here we come.
The obvious response is that each FReeper needs to get a DIGG account and Digg/Bury articles as appropriate.
ALL right, who squealed?
The Tea Party is a “Stand Alone Complex” formed to combat the other Conspiracies that the Media and Media-Government Complex have setup to get more power at the expense of ourselves.
>>>When the Right does this, its an agenda-pushing conspiracy.
>>>When the Left does this, it’s “getting the word out.”
Spot-on. While they’re looking into manipulation, they should look from the left as well. It’s done all the time on Digg.
When the Right does this, its an agenda-pushing conspiracy.
When the Left does this, it’s “getting the word out.”
[AUTO CORECTION]
When the Right does this, its an agenda-pushing conspiracy.
When the Left does this, it’s THE EVENING NEWSCAST.
Or community organizing. Or "speaking truth to power." Or "manning the barricades against the fascist oligarchy." Or "looking out for the working people."
This guy's "discovery" of Digg's format is on a par with discovering your own toes.
Oh brother. If only... (tear in eye)
So we get to call Elena Kagan a "Carpet Munching Communist", then, right?
I deedn’t do eeeeeet!
I never get the memos on what I’m supposed to do. Digg???
;-)
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