Everyone by now is familiar with the specific variety of partisan furore that manifest on Facebook , particularly with the kind oftailored memesmeant to incite political scandalization thatfind a home on its platform . But according to a written report from theWall Street Journal , Facebook mulled a tool mean to facilitate greater tolerance among those with fight back political belief before it was reportedly stalled by Facebook ’s Vice President of Global Public Policy Joel Kaplan .
Citing sources intimate with the thing , the Journal report Sunday that Kaplan , who unforgettably pissed off Facebook stave aftersupportingBrett Kavanaugh , objected to the so - send for called “ Common Ground ” project over fear that the endeavor would inspire allegation of political diagonal against conservatives . The task “ involved several potential products meant to minimize toxic content and encourage more civic give-and-take , ” per the Journal :
Mr. Kaplan balked when brief on internal Facebook research that find flop - leaning users tended to be more polarized , or less exposed to unlike points of view , than those on the left , accord to people conversant with the analysis . That inner research caterpillar track with thefindings of academic studies .
According to the report , the project was table toward the tail end of the summer at Mark Zuckerberg ’s direction , though the Journal positions Kaplan as implemental in stalling it . A Facebook spokesperson did not straight off return a request for scuttlebutt about the project and Kaplan ’s report office in the decision .
The Journal note that Kaplan ’s position at the society has been strain . He ’s reportedly pep up some controversial initiatives at Facebook , such as a partnership with the Daily Caller ’s fact - check into entity in spite of its tiltedtrack record . Citing multitude familiar with the discussions — which were read to also let in Mark Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg — the Journal describe that talks of the possible partnership “ end in November when The Daily Caller ’s fact - checking surgical operation lost its accreditation [ by the Poynter Institute ] . ”
Kaplan bring up internal controversy at the company just months ago after appearing at hearings forKavanaughin a designate expanse for supporters , which some employees reason forgotten survivor of sexual wildness ( Kavanaugh was accused ofsexual wrongdoing ) . Internal posts about the incident hold by theNew York Timesexpressed outrage at the decision , with one programme manager reportedly writing : “ This was a protest against our cultivation , and a slap in the cheek to [ Kaplan ’s ] fellow employee . ”
Was Facebook ’s would - be pro - civility instrument likely to ready the pervasive oil of vitriol on the company ’s platform on its own ? Probably not . Would it have hurt to explore ways to ease a healthier experience on the platform for everyone involved ? Again , probably no .
[ Wall Street JournalviaThe Verge ]
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