Facebook — A responsible publisher or a benign platform?

Mark Zuckerberg, the Facebook chief executive, on Capitol Hill last week.

Given our robust discussion last week about whether or not Facebook should bear responsibility for the fake news and and misinformation that is prevalent on its site, and its recent decision to not take down knowingly false political advertising, I offer these three readings from last October:

Inside Facebook: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/technology/facebook-mark-zuckerberg-political-ads.html

Aaron Sorkin, writer of The Social Network, in an open letter to Mark Zuckerburg: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/opinion/aaron-sorkin-mark-zuckerberg-facebook.html

Twitter decides: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/30/technology/twitter-political-ads-ban.html

FOR CLASS: Using these three pieces as your guide, as well as your own social media experience, please craft a short essay (500 words or less) that explains whether you agree with Zuckerburg’s policy, and what you make of Sorkin’s and Twitter’s response. Finally, what would you recommend Congress do regarding regulating social media political ads or controversial content, if anything.