Twitter Fights Abuse, But Free Speech Activists Worry About Censorship

  The social networking website Twitter has put new measures in place to try to stop users from being harassed or from seeing things that offend them. Some free-speech activists are worried that the changes could lead to unpopular ideas being censored. The measures were announced last week. They include hiding possibly threatening messages even if no one has complained to the company that the person who sent them is abusive. In a statement announcing the change, the company said, “We’re working to identify accounts as they’re engaging in abusive behavior -- even if this behavior hasn’t been reported to us." The company said it would take action only when it strongly believes abuse has taken place. It uses software to identify abuse. Risk to free speech? But some free speech supporters are worried about the changes. Suzanne Nossel is the executive director of the free speech activist group PEN America. She said Twitter is considering taking action, in her words, “where there is really no problem that needs to be solved. To take action when there hasn’t been a complaint raises the concern of whether there will be mistaken blocking of accounts or suspending of accounts,” she said. “That raises a risk.” Twitter has been pressured to deal with abusive speech in the past few months after some famous people complained about long-term, planned abuse campaigns. Actress Leslie Jones left Twitter for a brief time last year after she received many racist messages and death threats. Several months after she met with the head of Twitter, the company announced it had developed new ways to deal with abusive messages. Those ways included strengthening the ability of users to stop receiving messages that had certain words or expressions in them, and expanding the ability of users to report abuse. Twitter also retrained its workers on how to deal with online abuse. Esha Bhandari is a lawyer at the American Civil Liberties Union’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project. She told VOA that she supports these kinds of changes, which permit users to have more control over what messages they see and from whom they receive messages. She said the ACLU encourages companies to focus less on ways it can stop abuse and more “on tools that allow users to control their experience on the platform." Low-quality tweets and safe search function But some tools launched by Twitter give the company a lot of power to decide what messages are seen. In February, the company began hiding what it called “potentially abusive or low-quality tweets.” The messages will still be able to be seen, but only if people search for them. VOA asked Twitter many times for more information on how it decided which messages are “low-quality.” Twitter did not answer our questions. Also in February, Twitter introduced a “safe search” function that removes messages that have “potentially sensitive content” from search results. VOA also asked the company how it identified this kind of message, but Twitter again did not answer our questions. Global town square As a private company, Twitter is not forced to permit free speech. However, spokespeople say the service permits free expression. And they say they believe in “speaking truth to power.” PEN America and the ACLU support this role. Nossel and Bhandari say they consider Twitter a kind of global town square, where everyone’s voice has equal weight. Bhandari  said, “As a practical matter, decisions made by Twitter have a huge impact on the messages that we receive, and I hope that Twitter and other companies take those responsibilities seriously." Nossel noted that Twitter has financial reasons to be careful as it seeks to balance free expression and stopping abuse. “The power and influence of their platform depends on the free flow of ideas, so I think there are commercial reasons why they would not want to limit (free speech),” Gnossel said. “And I think for their users, they do have a kind of softer, implicit contract that they are going to be a platform in which you can express things freely.” I’m Ashley Thompson.    VOA News Writer Joshua Fatzick reported this story from Washington. John Smith adapted the story for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   account – n. an arrangement in which a person uses the Internet or e-mail services of a particular company​ complain – v. to say or write that you are unhappy, sick, uncomfortable, etc., or that you do not like something​ engage in – phrasal verb to do (something) encourage –​ v. to make (something) more appealing or more likely to happen​ allow – v. to make it possible for someone or something to have or do something​ focus – v. to direct your attention or effort at something specific​ racism – n. the belief that some races of people are better than others potentially – adv. capable of becoming real​ function – n. the special purpose or activity for which a thing exists or is used​ platform – n. something that allows someone to tell a large number of people about an idea, product, etc. practical – adj. likely to succeed and reasonable to do or use​ impact – n. logical and reasonable in a particular situation​ implicit – adj. understood though not clearly or directly stated​  

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News Words: Hybrid

Do you know what a hybrid is? Learn with News Words.

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March 9, 2017

A look at the best news photos from around the world.

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'Fearless Girl' Statue Appears on Wall Street

This is What’s Trending Today… People in the United States marked International Women’s Day in different ways. Some went on strike and stayed home from work. Others wore the color red. One investment group in New York City, however, celebrated in a different way. It put up a symbolic statue on Wall Street, the city’s financial center. The statue is of a small, young girl. She is standing in a strong, confident, and defiant way. Her hands are on her hips. And, she is standing just across from a huge and well-known statue of a bull. The work of art is called “The Fearless Girl.” The group State Street Global Advisors put up the statue. Anne McNally is with the group. She told Reuters news agency that “The Fearless Girl” helps bring attention to the small number of women in high positions on Wall Street, as well as the lower wages that women working in finance receive. The group wants that to change, she says. “A lot of people talk about gender diversity, but we really felt we had to take it to a broader level,” she said. Under the new statue are the words, “Know the power of women in leadership. She makes a difference.” Artist Kristen Visbal created “The Fearless Girl.” It was put up very early Tuesday. Many people were surprised to see it the next morning.   Tourists and locals have been celebrating Wall Street’s “Fearless Girl” on social media. It became a trending topic on Wednesday. One person wrote on Twitter, “The Wall Street bull may have met his match!“ ​ This expression means that someone has found someone else that is equal to them in strength or ability. Another person tweeted,  "Hope it becomes a permanent fixture.”  For now, New York City officials are permitting the “Fearless Girl” to remain for one week. But, she could be around for a lot longer. The Wall Street bull statue, for example, was put up in 1989. Italian artist Arturo Di Modica created it. It was meant to show America’s strength and power following the 1987 stock-market crash. Artists installed the bull statue without the permission of the city. It, too, was put in place very early in the morning. But it was soon removed. However, the public demanded that the bull be permitted to remain. So it soon received a permanent home. Today, the bull statue is a Wall Street icon. Millions of tourists stop by to see the bull every year. And if she remains, “The Fearless Girl” could become a Wall Street icon, too. And that’s What’s Trending Today. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   symbolic - adj. expressing or representing an idea or quality without using words confident - adj. having a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something defiant - adj. ​refusing to obey something or someone​ bull - n. an adult male animal of the ox and cow family​ gender  - n.​ the state of being male or female​ diversity - n.​ the state of having people who are different races or who have different cultures in a group or organization​ broad - adj. including or involving many things or people : wide in range or amount fixture - n.​ a person or thing that has been part of something or involved in something for a long time​ install  - v. to make (a machine, a service, etc.) ready to be used in a certain place​ icon - n.​ a widely known symbol​

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Facebook Update Deals with Fake News Problem

  When you see a news story in your Facebook News Feed, you might assume that it is true. So, perhaps, you share it. But what if the story was false, or fake? Through a simple mistake, you might be spreading information that is untrue. Facebook has started a program to battle the spread of fake news. The program alerts Facebook users when independent fact checkers have disputed the truth of a news story. Facebook also has made it easier for its users to dispute a news story. A video from Facebook introduces the new update Facebook is launching for noting fake news. The video was released in December, when Facebook first announced it was testing this ‘fake news’ program The program for dealing with fake news has four parts. Each one is supposed to help users identify when a shared news report is not true. Marking Stories as Disputed Facebook has started to work with independent fact-checking organizations to find out whether a disputed story is true or false. These groups have promised to verify news stories using the Poynter Organization International Fact Checking Network ethical guidelines. When these fact checkers dispute the truth of a story, Facebook will not block the story from News Feeds. Instead, the site will flag the story as under dispute. A link to an explanation about why a story is disputed will be included. Click on the three dots […] next to the story to find the link.                             Here is what Facebook says: "To see why a news story was marked as disputed on Facebook: Hover and click underneath the disputed story. Click 'About Disputed Stories,' or go directly to the independent fact-checking website." Facebook may also put disputed stories lower in News Feeds. You can share a story that has been flagged as disputed, but you will get a warning about it from Facebook.                               Easier Reporting That a Story on Facebook Is Fake Facebook is making it easier for users to report a story as fake. Here are the site’s instructions on how to do that. Click " ∨ " next to the post you'd like to mark as fake Click 'Report post' Click 'It's a fake news story' Click 'Mark this post as fake news' You can also send a message to your friend who posted the false story, letting him or her know that the story has been disputed. Or, you can block that friend.               Facebook Software The update includes software that Facebook uses to identify stories that may be in dispute. If many people read a story but few share it, Facebook may tag it for verification by the independent fact checkers. Making Facebook less appealing to spammers Sometimes spammers will spread false stories on Facebook to try to get readers to click on advertisements. After a story has been flagged as disputed by Facebook, that article can no longer be promoted in News Feeds or in Facebook ads. What else you need to know The process for marking a news story as disputed takes a while. Do not necessarily believe a story on Facebook is true just because it is not flagged as disputed. That flag may be coming. This update to Facebook is coming into use slowly, so you may not see flagged stories in your News Feed immediately.   I'm Caty Weaver.   Carolyn Nicander Mohr wrote this report for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. Have you seen stories on Facebook that have been flagged as being disputed? Have you reported news stories you have seen in your News Feed as being false? Do you agree with Facebook's way of identifying fake news stories? Share your thoughts in the Comments Section below or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   assume - v. to think that something is true or probably true without knowing that it is true alert - v. to give (someone) important information about a possible problem, danger, etc. : to warn (someone) verify - v. to prove, show, find out, or state that (something) is true or correct flag - v. to mark (something, such as a page or section of a book) so that it can be easily seen or found spammer - n. a person or organization who shares unwanted articles or emails with others promote - v. to change the rank or position of (someone) to a higher or more important one  

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Video Said to Show Kim Jong Nam’s Son

A young man appeared in a YouTube video claiming to be the son of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korea’s leader. In the video, the man says in English, “My name is Kim Han Sol from North Korea, part of the Kim family…” He then shows a passport that was partially blacked out. The passport is similar to passports issued to North Korea’s government officials. He says, "My father has been killed a few days ago. I'm currently with my mother and my sister" in the video. The Associated Press reports that an unnamed official from South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) has determined that the man in the video is Kim Han Sol. A group named Choellima Civil Defense posted the video. The group says the governments of the Netherlands, China, the United States and a fourth unnamed country are providing humanitarian assistance to the family according to Reuters. The appearance of the video adds to a complex chain of events and increasing tensions surrounding the death of Kim Jong Nam. Malaysian officials say Kim Jong Nam died after two women rubbed a deadly poison, VX nerve agent, on his face at the Kuala Lumpur airport.   A court in Malaysia has charged Siti Aisyah of Indonesia and Doan Thi Huong, from Vietnam, with the murder. The two women face a death sentence if found guilty. Relations between Malaysia and North Korea strained further Relations between Malaysia and North Korea have worsened as the investigation has continued. On Tuesday, Malaysia barred all North Koreans in the country, including diplomats and embassy workers, from leaving. North Korea also has banned Malaysians from leaving its territory. The decisions followed earlier moves to expel each other's ambassadors. North Korea has claimed that the man, carrying a passport with the name Kim Chol, was not the half-brother of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un. But it has asked Malaysia to return the body. Officials in Malaysia want to question several North Korean suspects in the case. Officials are also waiting for a DNA sample from a family member to identify the body. I’m Mario Ritter.   Mario Ritter adapted this story for VOA Learning English with reporting from VOA, Reuters and the Associated Press. Hai Do was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   determine –v.  to find out issue –v.  to make available, to be given out DNA –n.  (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules that carry genetic information in the cells of plants and animals

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Hate Groups on the Rise in the US

Groups that fuel hatred and violence against others are increasing in the U.S. according a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights group.

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Elvis Still Creates Excitement Long After His Death

  Elvis Presley sang his last song nearly 40 years ago. But his home at “Graceland,” where Presley is buried, is expanding. Graceland is just a short drive from the center of Memphis, the second largest city in Tennessee. A new area, called “Elvis Presley’s Memphis,” just opened on the grounds of the estate. It includes new stores, a hotel, two restaurants and new exhibition center. The exhibition center has some of the clothing Presley wore while performing, as well as the guitars he played. Visitors also can see some of the cars he once owned. Priscilla Presley, his former wife, says Elvis Presley’s Memphis will give visitors a better understanding of the man known as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Even nearly 40 years after his death at age 42, Presley’s music lives on. His songs are sung by a long list of “Elvis Impersonators,” who perform much like Presley did in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. They attempt to recreate the sound and look of “The King.” The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, made a list of what it considers Presley’s five most important songs. They are “That’s All Right,” “Mystery Train,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Don’t be Cruel,” and “Jailhouse Rock.” Presley appeared in 33 movies, and often performed on television shows. In its report on Presley’s death, The Washington Post said that Presley’s music captured the increasing rebellion of young people. In his song, “In the Ghetto,” Presley wrote about paying attention to the struggles of people living in poverty. “People, don't you understand the child needs a helping hand or he'll grow to be an angry young man some day Take a look at you and me, are we too blind to see, do we simply turn our heads and look the other way” More than 20 million people from all over the world have visited Graceland since it opened in 1982 as a tribute to the late rock star. But will visitors keep going there as more people who enjoyed his music when he was alive grow older and die off? Robert Thompson is director of the Bleier Center for Television & Popular Culture at Syracuse University in New York. He predicts Presley will continue to have a large following. He is part of a group of performers -- including The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby -- who remained popular long after they stopped performing, Thompson said. “He (Presley) is one of those historical figures that became part of American folk culture,” Thompson noted. Fame after death is not guaranteed. Thompson points out that the two biggest American stars of the 19th century, Sarah Bernhardt and Jinny Lind, are not famous today. Bernhardt starred in theater productions and some of the earliest films ever produced. Lind, called the “Swedish Nightingale,” was an opera singer who became America’s most popular singer. Some cities even named schools and bridges in her honor. One reason Presley, the Beatles, Jackson, Sinatra and Crosby are still popular is modern technology. It is very easy to listen to their music on record albums, radio stations, videos and the internet. Crosby’s song, “White Christmas,” gets played over and over again in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Crosby, like Presley, died in 1977. Having a place like Graceland will help keep Presley’s memory alive, Thompson said. People who went there as a five-year-old are likely to remember the experience, even if it did not turn them into fans of Presley, he said.   Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. His report was based on an Associated Press story and other sources. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. Do you know Elvis Presley’s music? If so, do you like it? _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   estate - n. a large piece of land with a large house on it tribute - n. something that you say, give, or do to show respect or affection for someone guitar - n. a musical instrument that is held against the front of your body and that has usually six strings which are played with your fingers or with a pick exhibit - n. an object or a collection of objects that have been put out in a public space for people to look at figure – n. a person or personality

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US Court to Hear Arguments on New Travel Ban

  A court in the United States has ordered a hearing next week on President Donald Trump’s new executive order on immigration. The order suspends the country’s refugee admissions program and bars entry to people from six countries. In all six, most of the population is Muslim. Officials in Hawaii have disputed the legality of the order, which is to take effect on March 16th. The court will hear arguments in the case March 15th. The executive order blocks the approval of new U.S. visas to citizens of Iran, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Somalia and Sudan. The travel ban will be in effect for 90 days. The order also bars refugees from entering the United States for 120 days. Trump says the measure is necessary to protect national security. He has dismissed critics who say it targets Muslims. U.S. federal courts suspended enforcement of an earlier version of the executive order. The top law enforcement official in Hawaii said on Monday that the new order is just a new version of a Muslim ban. State attorney general Doug Chin said “under the pretense of national security, it still targets immigrants and refugees.” The executive order says the government must improve its investigation of those who seek to enter the United States. It says the six countries named in the order have a compromised ability to provide the necessary information to ensure people entering the U.S. are not a threat. Iraq was included in the first executive order, but was removed after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said his office was in contact with the Iraqi government. He said they were working to improve the system for investigating the security risk of Iraqi citizens. Iraqi Foreign Minister Ahmed Jamal told the Associated Press that removing his country from the order will improve cooperation in the fight against Islamic State militants. Mohamed Naji works for the Sudan Tribune news website in Paris. He said officials in Sudan are “furious” about the order because they were “involved in a process that was supposed to lead to all U.S. sanctions being lifted.” Naji said that process began during the presidency of George W. Bush. He said Sudan “is wondering if there has been a setback in the process, especially given that President Trump’s executive order lists Sudan among states sponsoring terrorism.” In the United States, several congressional leaders have expressed support for the new executive order. Trump’s Republican Party controls both the House of Representatives and the Senate. But most Democratic Party lawmakers and human rights organizations oppose the measure. Some critics called it “racist and anti-Islamic.” House Speaker Paul Ryan said the order helps to support “our shared goal” of protecting the United States. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he believes the new order will not be considered as a religious ban and will not be blocked by the courts. Reports say the new order was written to deal with the concerns of the federal judges who blocked the first order. Graham said he believed the new order to be “a ban on individuals coming from compromised governments and failed states.” Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders expressed sharp disagreement with Republican supporters of the ban. He said the order targets Muslims in “an attempt to divide us up. This isn’t about keeping America safe. A president who respected our traditions of religious freedom would not have resorted to hateful, anti-Islamic rhetoric to justify [the] ban.” The International Rescue Committee provides humanitarian aid to 40 countries and has helped resettle refugees in 28 U.S. cities. It said the new order is a threat to the 60,000 refugees who have already been investigated, but are still in crisis areas. The IRC said the American resettlement program is considered “the world’s most successful and secure.” It said there has not been a deadly terrorist attack by a refugee in the U.S. since the resettlement program began in 1980. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.   VOA’s Chris Hannas, Lou Lorscheider, James Butty and Timothee Donangmaye reported this story from Washington. John Smith adapted their reporting into VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   executive order – n. an order that comes from the U.S. President or a government agency and must be obeyed like a law pretense – n. a false reason or explanation that is used to hide the real purpose of something furious – adj. very angry sanction – n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country setback – n. a problem that makes progress more difficult or success less likely resort to – phrasal verb to do or use (something) especially because no other choices are possible

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March 8, 2017

A look at the best news photos from around the world.

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March 7, 2017

A look at the best news photos from around the world.

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