News Mash-up: Big Tech

印刷用画面を開く

Posted

Category: Technology/Innovations

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. reservation / ˌrɛz ərˈveɪ ʃən / (n) – a feeling of doubt or uncertainty about whether something is good or right
    Example:

    I have some reservations about transferring to the New York office.


  2. curb / kɜrb / (n) – a restraint or limit on something, especially one that is unwanted
    Example:

    The government has set a curb on overtime.


  3. public discourse / ˈpʌb lɪk ˈdɪs kɔrs / (n) – discussion about a particular topic among the public
    Example:

    The government’s new health program has been the topic of public discourse for the last few weeks.


  4. unleash / ʌnˈliʃ / (v) – to allow or cause something very powerful, harmful, or violent to happen suddenly
    Example:

    The negative review unleashed strong reactions from fans of the movie.


  5. traffic / ˈtræf ɪk / (n) – the number of people who visit a website or online platform
    Example:

    I need to create some new content to increase traffic to my site.


Article

Read the text below.

Merkel concerned about Trump Twitter ban


German Chancellor Angela Merkel has reservations about the way U.S. President Donald Trump’s Twitter account was suspended, her spokesman said, adding that legislators, not private companies, should decide on any necessary curbs to free expression.


Berlin is one of many European governments concerned about the power of giant social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to shape public discourse. Twitter permanently banned Trump after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington, unleashing hours of chaos. (Reuters)


Microsoft looks to replace Google in Australia


Software giant Microsoft Corp. is confident its search product Bing can fill the gap in Australia if Google pulls its search over required payments to media outlets, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Feb. 1.


Australia has introduced laws that would force internet giant Google and social media heavyweight Facebook Inc. to negotiate payments to domestic media outlets whose content links drive traffic to their platforms.


However, the firms have called the laws unworkable and said last month they would withdraw key services from Australia if the regulations went ahead. (Reuters)


These articles were provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Do you think Twitter made the right decision to suspend Trump’s account? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Before his Twitter account was finally suspended in 2021, Trump repeatedly broke the platform’s rules, but his posts were not removed because he was an important public figure. Should public figures have to follow the same rules as regular users on social media? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, do Twitter and other big tech companies have too much control over public discourse? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Do you agree that Google and Facebook should pay media outlets whose content drives traffic to their sites? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, can Bing or other search engines really fill the gap if Google pulls its search in Australia? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Do you think that Google, Facebook, and most of the other big tech companies will still exist 10 years from now? Why or why not? Discuss.