Edward Snowden just solved the world’s fake news crisis, and politicians won’t like it one bit [VIDEO]


Support us and go ad-free

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden just intervened in the fake news debate. And he proposed a solution that most politicians won’t like one bit.

Snowden argues that the answer to fake news shouldn’t come in the form of a “referee” – the solution proposed by most so far.

Instead, Snowden says that the responsibility to “help each other” lies with citizens and users of media platforms. He asserts [emphasis added]:

Read on...

Support us and go ad-free

We talk and we share. And we point out what is fake. We point out what is true. The answer to bad speech is not censorship. The answer to bad speech is more speech.

He continues:

We have to exercise and spread the idea that critical thinking matters.

Practising what we speak

Snowden himself has experience of fighting “bad speech” with “more speech”. Before he leaked documents to journalists that confirmed the vast surveillance practices of the US and the UK, the Director of National Intelligence James Clapper testified to Congress. Clapper lied in his testimony (he claims unintentionally) about the extent of America’s spying capabilities. For Snowden, this was a “breaking point” in his choice to blow the whistle.

And more speech from Snowden did destroy the “bad speech” from Clapper. It also enabled millions of citizens to understand what governments were doing in their name.

But the informed “critical thinking” Snowden is advocating may not sit well with some politicians. Because people who think critically are unlikely to fall for the spin, propaganda, and lies that politicians often put out themselves.

So although this is very good advice for citizens, it’s unlikely that many politicians will be cheering it on anytime soon.

Get Involved!

– Support The Canary, and join the media revolution.

Featured image via Fight for the Future/Screengrab

Support us and go ad-free

We know everyone is suffering under the Tories - but the Canary is a vital weapon in our fight back, and we need your support

The Canary Workers’ Co-op knows life is hard. The Tories are waging a class war against us we’re all having to fight. But like trade unions and community organising, truly independent working-class media is a vital weapon in our armoury.

The Canary doesn’t have the budget of the corporate media. In fact, our income is over 1,000 times less than the Guardian’s. What we do have is a radical agenda that disrupts power and amplifies marginalised communities. But we can only do this with our readers’ support.

So please, help us continue to spread messages of resistance and hope. Even the smallest donation would mean the world to us.

Support us

Comments are closed