Lawmakers weigh new regulations for social media

Lawmakers are looking at ways to regulate social media platforms to combat misinformation. Critics say these platforms have caused extremist groups to grow, and played a role in inciting the January 6th assault on the U.S Capitol. The CEOs' of Twitter, Facebook and Google deny their platforms are solely responsible for the spread of misinformation. Jonathan Peters, an associate professor at the College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia, joined CBSN's Lana Zak to discuss.

• Apr 2, 2021
• 6:07

Tech CEOs questioned on social media misinformation

The CEOs of social media giants Facebook, Twitter and Google faced a grilling as congressional lawmakers tried to draw them into acknowledging responsibility for helping fuel the January insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and contributing to rising COVID-19 vaccine misinformation. CBS News reporter Musadiq Bidar joins CBSN's Lana Zak with more.

• Mar 25, 2021
• 4:49

Lawmakers vow stricter regulations on social media platforms

CEOs from Facebook, Twitter and Google faced intense scrutiny from Democrats and Republicans on Thursday.

• Mar 25, 2021

Tech executives testify before Congress

Google, Facebook, and Twitter executives joined a virtual hearing with House members on Thursday to discuss the role of social media in promoting extremism and misinformation. Ashley Gold, Axios' technology and policy reporter, joins CBSN's "Red & Blue" anchor Elaine Quijano with more on how the CEOs defended themselves, and why the pressure they're facing to make changes to their business practices is greater than ever.

• Mar 25, 2021
• 6:46

Tech giant leaders testify on disinformation

The heads of Facebook, Twitter, and Google testify Thursday before Congress over what role their platforms play in the spread of dangerous disinformation. CBSN technology reporter Dan Patterson joined CBSN with a preview of what to expect.

• Mar 25, 2021
• 13:58

How Facebook plans to inform about vaccines

Facebook Chief Product Officer Chris Cox explains how the tech firm will amplify authoritative information about coronavirus vaccines.

• Mar 16, 2021
• 0:48

Twitter to label vaccine misinformation

Twitter announced it will begin applying labels to tweets that include misleading information about COVID-19 vaccines, and it is introducing a strike policy to curb users from repeatedly violating those rules. CBSN's Elaine Quijano has the details.

• Mar 2, 2021
• 0:27

How deceptive memes spread misinformation

False and dangerous information about the coronavirus pandemic and politics continues to spread online, and memes are often the vehicle of choice for misinformation on social media. Axios media reporter Sara Fischer joins CBSN to discuss why memes pose a significant threat and what users can do about it.

• Feb 24, 2021
• 15:44

Religious-based vaccine conspiracies abound

A number of religious-based conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 vaccine are increasingly popular on social media. They often refer to Christian themes regarding the devil and the apocalypse. This type of content is becoming increasingly difficult for social media companies to moderate, despite their recent crackdowns on misinformation. Elizabeth Dwoskin, a Silicon Valley correspondent for The Washington Post, joins CBSN's Elaine Quijano to explain the implications of these false claims.

• Feb 16, 2021
• 8:39

Facebook widens ban on vaccine misinformation

The platform added a new set of false claims to its list of COVID-19 information that will be removed.

• Feb 8, 2021

Concerns over QAnon's impact on politics

QAnon conspiracy theories have taken center stage in recent politics, fueling the insurrection behind the Capitol Hill riot. Critics are concerned that continued misinformation online will lead to more confusion in politics, and more violence. Major Garrett reports.

• Jan 30, 2021
• 2:03

Expert on tech companies and misinformation

Several social media sites suspended President Trump and key allies following the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol, and a research firm found online misinformation about election fraud dropped more than 70% after those suspensions. Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports the incoming Biden administration is facing bipartisan calls to expand antitrust enforcement on tech companies. Roger McNamee, author of the New York Times bestseller "Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe," joins CBSN to discuss.

• Jan 19, 2021
• 7:43

Understanding the 2020 election

Many Americans are still unpacking an election unlike any other. From a deadly pandemic, to a fight for racial justice, there are multiple factors that shaped the race for the White House. Christina Capatides, senior producer of CBSN Originals documentaries, joined CBSN's Lana Zak to discuss the newest CBSN documentary special, "Hindsight is 2020: An Unprecedented Election".

• Jan 16, 2021
• 7:20

Report tracks loss of trust in institutions

A new report warns that an "epidemic of misinformation" is eroding people's trust in institutions. The Edelman Trust Barometer found widespread distrust of journalists, business leaders and government officials around the world. Richard Edelman, CEO of the company behind the report, joins CBSN AM to talk about it.

• Jan 13, 2021
• 6:33

The social media impact of the assault on U.S. Capitol

Social media platforms have played a major role in distributing falsehoods and conspiracy theories that spurred on the Capitol attack. Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie joined CBSN to discuss how tech regulation could tackle the problem of disinformation online.

• Jan 7, 2021
• 11:14

Social media's influence on the Capitol attack

"60 in 6" correspondent Laurie Segall joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the president being banned on social media, and the role social platforms have played in distributing falsehoods and conspiracy theories that spurred on the Capitol attack. Plus, she details embedding with extremist groups and the role social media plays for them.

• Jan 8, 2021
• 4:33

The internet's effect on baby boomers

Misinformation has spread like wildfire across the internet, and baby boomers are often the ones sharing fake articles meant to misinform and evoke reactions. Bonnie Kristian, a contributing editor for The Week who explored the phenomenon in "Our parents warned us the internet would break our brains. It broke theirs instead," discussed what's driving it with Anne-Marie Green and Vladimir Duthiers on CBSN.

• Jan 8, 2021
• 10:43

Small pharmacies helping vaccine distribution

Across the country, small pharmacies are quickly becoming a vital part of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. They're stepping up to combat misinformation and administer the vaccine in areas where medical resources and accessibility is often limited. Mireya Villarreal reports from Texas.

• Jan 4, 2021
• 3:23

Misinformation spreads ahead of Georgia runoffs

With less than a week to go until the Senate runoffs in Georgia, a piece in The New York Times looks at the misinformation campaigns targeting voters there. Sheera Frenkel co-wrote the story, and she spoke with Jamie Yuccas on CBSN about where this misinformation is coming from and what to look out for on your social media feeds.

• Dec 30, 2020
• 6:55

Russia denies hacking U.S. federal agencies

Hackers breached several U.S. government agencies, including the Treasury and Commerce departments. Russia, a leading suspect behind the cyberattack, is denying any involvement. CBS News senior investigative correspondent Catherine Herridge has more, and CBS News technology reporter Dan Patterson joined CBSN to discuss the investigation, plus new data on the reach of misinformation on social media.

• Dec 14, 2020
• 9:09

How misinformation in 2020 helped divide the U.S.

Misinformation is both dangerous and running rampant in our society. So much so that BuzzFeed News goes as far as to say misinformation broke the United States in 2020. Lana Zak spoke with BuzzFeed News senior reporter Jane Lytvynenko about the impact of misinformation in this country.

• Dec 12, 2020
• 5:37

YouTube bans videos with false claims of election fraud

YouTube said it is removing videos that falsely claim widespread voter fraud or errors changed the outcome of the U.S. election.

• Dec 10, 2020

Impact of "participatory disinformation" on society

President Trump continues to spread baseless claims of widespread voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election. His supporters -- including hundreds of Republican congressional leaders -- are perpetuating this false narrative. University of Washington associate professor Kate Starbird calls this "participatory disinformation." She joins CBSN's Lana Zak to explain its implications for society.

• Dec 9, 2020
• 9:19

Georgia election misinformation on Facebook

A newly released report from Avaaz suggests Facebook isn't flagging most of the misinformation about Georgia's Senate runoff election on its platform. CBSN technology reporter Dan Patterson joins CBSN's Tanya Rivero to discuss what the report found and what it says Facebook needs to do moving forward.

• Dec 8, 2020
• 5:31

Facebook battles with misinformation

Facebook has been criticized in recent months for not doing enough to combat the spread of misinformation and hate speech. Now the question of how to handle that is reportedly creating a divide within the company. New York Times cybersecurity correspondent Sheera Frenkel joined CBSN to discuss the company's internal debate about what its priorities should be.

• Dec 4, 2020
• 7:15

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