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Twitter, Facebook and the Russian Quest to Crush Liberal Democracy

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What started out as a trickle of news stories suggesting social media was being manipulated to influence public opinion is now turning into a flood.

The Senate Intelligence Committee has summoned executives from Twitter to testify about the role of automated accounts, known as bots, in spreading propaganda and misinformation in the United States. The New York Times says the short form platform may have played a larger role than previously reported in the 2016 elections.

Facebook is giving up images of over three thousand ads paid for (in rubles, according to Sen. Mark Warner) by Russian entities attempting to influence the voting public. There is widespread speculation the $100,000 in direct payments from overseas accounts is just the tip of the iceberg.   [Read more…]

Facebook Isn’t Free | Video Worth Watching

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From the good folks at College Humor we have an amusing parody of the Matrix franchise which enlightens us to the fact that Facebook isn’t free and tells us exactly how much it costs! What it doesn’t tell us is where to send the check. Or rather, what is to be done if we’re disturbed by this new knowledge. Although, honestly, positing a remedy for this state of affairs is beyond the scope of such a short work. I guess it’s up to us to start working on the sequel.

It features a brief cameo by Ethan Zuckerman (credited with proposing the “cute cat theory of digital activism”) whose MIT Center for Citizen Media, may provide some pointers.   [Read more…]

Trump TV – an Uncanny Prediction by Keith Olbermann | Video Worth Watching

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Keith Olbermann joins the ranks of those who made predictions regarding Donald Trump’s political trajectory which uncannily have turned out to come true. In this clip, we’re reminded that last November before the election, Keith disagreed with those who, when the launch of “Trump TV” was announced, speculated that it was a strategic preparation for a post-election loss Trump media operation. Keith can be a little “over the top” on occasion, but hearing his last November warning in light of today’s news is chilling. Fast-forward nine months and Kayleigh McEnany, after leaving CNN the other day, is now the voice of the “Real News” which appeared on Trump’s Facebook page yesterday. Is this the beginning of a state approved “official” version of the news?   [Read more…]

Crowdfunding Keeps Snopes.com Alive, For Now

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The granddaddy of debunking online rumors and hoaxes has escaped a brush with death, thanks to $500,000 worth of donations from nearly 20,000 people on GoFundMe in less than 24 hours.

Snopes.com made a plea for readers to step up on Monday, as a shared-ownership contract dispute with a vendor operating its back-end advertising and development platforms became critical.

The company’s income from advertising dried up in March following a 60-day contract cancellation notice sent to Proper Media, a San Diego-based vendor at the heart of this dispute.   [Read more…]

SDFP Garners 6 Journo Awards!

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By Staff

The San Diego chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists held its annual award dinner on July 19 at the Kona Kai Resort and Spa. These awards recognize print and online journalism in a variety of categories. San Diego Free Press contributors Mark Hughes and Martha Sullivan received first place recognition and contributor Lawrence Herzog and editors Doug Porter and Barbara Zaragoza garnered second place and honorable mention for their work in 2016.   [Read more…]

The Best Fox News Explanations for Trump Jr.’s Russia Meeting | Video Worth Watching

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Are you curious to know how Fox News is covering the most recently revealed Donald Trump Jr. meeting with the Russians, but the thought of actually subjecting your brain to a prolonged dose of Fox drivel makes you weak in the knees and sets off spasms of hyperventilation? Well, you’re in luck! Vox News’ Carlos Maza fortified himself, took the plunge and produced a short video that distills the essence of what makes Fox Faux.   [Read more…]

The San Diego Free Press Has Moved to a New Web Host

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Welcome to the San Diego Free Press now hosted by Pressable.com! Leave us a comment so we know you’re here!

Why Good Journalism is Liberal

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. . . and conservative journalism isn’t news journalism

By Bill Adams

Mainstream news media has long been accused of having a “liberal bias.”  Some studies have supported this belief.  “Liberal bias” may be inherent in news journalism for reasons that aren’t flattering to conservatives.  

Defining Liberal and Conservative. While political views are neither immutable nor binary, certain characteristics have remained relatively consistent. Broadly speaking, liberal policies support labor, equality and a strong social safety net, strong public institutions, progressive taxation, diplomacy and the avoidance of military conflict, and protection of the environment.     [Read more…]

A Few Words on Our Fifth Anniversary of Being

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Come inside for pictures and more…   [Read more…]

One Woman’s Story: Why I Will be Enrolling in the ACA (Obamacare) Marketplace

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By Lauree Benton

This 2013 article is a reminder of what is at stake in the efforts to repeal the ACA (Obamacare). The current GOP plan (AHCA) would let employers deny coverage for maternity and other care. Pregnancy would become a preexisting condition–again.

I didn’t know pregnancy was a preexisting condition until I was 8.5 months pregnant.

“You are uninsurable,” says the sales representative from Blue Cross of California. “Pregnancy is considered a preexisting condition.”

“You mean the preexisting condition that allows humanity to survive?” I snapped. I was furious.

To the sales rep’s credit, he thought it was ridiculous too.   [Read more…]

Barrio Logan’s Chicano Park, Our National Treasure

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By Brent E. Beltrán

Editor’s Note: Chicano Park was designated as a National Historic Landmark on January 11, 2017. This 2013 article from the San Diego Free Press archives chronicles Chicano Park’s placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

On Friday, March 15, the Ides of March, there was a press conference at Chicano Park in my beloved Barrio Logan. The press conference was put together to announce Chicano Park being added to the National Register of Historic Places. In other words, Chicano Park was officially recognized as being a national treasure of the United States. Those of us who live in Logan and the various barrios throughout San Diego, California and beyond already recognize this fact. But, through the fine work of Chicano Park co-founder, Josie Talamantez, the nation now officially recognizes this.

In front of Chicano Park co-founders, activists, artists, professors and numerous members of the media Mayor Bob Filner gave praise to Chicano Park and those that struggled for a peoples park. He was followed by District 8 City Councilman David Alvarez, State Senator elect Ben Hueso, Chicano Park Steering Committee Chairperson Tommie Camarillo and Josie Talamantez who broke down the process and criteria for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. It was a proud day for all involved in the creation and maintenance of Chicano Park.   [Read more…]

Walking in Chicano Park, Winter ’13

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walking in Chicano Park
one morning hazy with
shipyard fumes and shipyard lies

I stop in front of the mural
depicting Quetzalcoatl
who is half-bird, half-serpent   [Read more…]

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