Editing other individuals’ tweets is unessential. Individuals have the freedom to express their political views without someone adding context to their tweets. Yes, some individuals may tweet some false information that has never happened as a result of watching fake news. To correct misinformation, others can leave a comment on the person’s tweet by providing proof. However, Nina Jankowicz, director of the Disinformation Governance Board (DHS) in the Department of Homeland Security, has a different way of looking at editing someone’s tweet.
The New York Post reported that Nina Jankowicz stated that confirmed Twitter users such as herself should be permitted to change the tweets of others. That is, if they felt those tweets were false. She expressed that there were many people who should not be verified or authorized due to her opinion of their not being trustworthy. Then again, what is her definition of trustworthy and misinformation?
Jankowicz mentioned that “verified Twitter users” could start adding context to people’s tweets like how Wikipedia did in a certain way. She gave an example of adding context to Trump’s tweet if he were still on Twitter and made a claim about voting fraud. Someone may provide context from one of the sixty cases that passed through the court, or anything spoken by a state election officer. Individuals then could have a more complete picture than just a single claim on the tweets, which raises concern.
By allowing verified users to edit people’s tweets, are they presenting their ideas, meanings, and opinions clearly, or are they changing them? In addition, will the name of a verified user who adds the context show up on the person’s tweet? If not, it makes it unclear as to who tweeted or added context to the post. In addition, do all the “verified Twitter users” have reliable sources and evidence to back up their claims? In today’s society, problems have become increasingly contentious in people’s lives. Such problems include political and socioeconomic problems. Others include disinformation from some media outlets to suit a particular political party’s agenda and spiritual warfare in the global culture war.
Jankowicz’s remarks to mislead others re-surface, along with critics’ disagreement with what Jankowicz proposes. According to the New York Post, examples included tweets about Trump’s ties with Russia and doubts about Hunter Biden’s laptop’s records. Breitbart reported clips from critics about her proposal.
In general, it is better to comment than to edit the tweets of others. It allows people to express their thoughts without fear of someone editing their tweets to dismiss their views. Even more, they can express their views without someone adding context to fit his or her agenda. If someone wants to point out the false information in another person’s tweet, he or she can provide factual evidence in the comment section. There is no need to edit the work of others to silence their views. Social media platforms are designed for others from around the world to exchange ideas or to discuss current world issues.
