Chipping away at free speech.

[neurosis]

There is plenty that could go in to this topic. On both Federal and local levels.

This one is something I noticed this morning.

I'm glad I don't live in Texas.   

https://texasscorecard.com/state/texas-house-approves-former-speaker-dade-phelans-meme-regulation-bill/

Punishment under the legislation could result in up to a year in jail.


"The Texas House has approved legislation by former Speaker Dade Phelan that would criminalize the distribution of altered political media, such as memes, videos, or audio recordings, unless they contain a government-mandated disclaimer.

Despite tweaks in a recently adopted committee substitute, the bill continues to face intense criticism from First Amendment advocates who warn it would chill political speech and satire.

Originally pitched as a response to AI-generated "deepfakes" in campaign content, House Bill 366 is significantly broader in scope. The current version makes clear that it doesn't just apply to artificial intelligence, but also to any image, audio, or video that "did not occur in reality"—a definition that includes basic Photoshop edits and parody.
"

At least there are some limitations?

Under the substitute, the bill now technically applies only to individuals or entities who fall into one of three categories:
* Officeholders, candidates, or political committees;
* Those who spend more than $100 on political advertising during a reporting period (excluding basic tech costs);
* Anyone who publishes or distributes such content for compensation.

UGH.

However, during a recent committee hearing, the Texas Ethics Commission contradicted key elements of Phelan's defense. While he claimed the law wouldn't touch social media, TEC General Counsel James Tinley acknowledged that political content posted online could, in fact, fall under the bill's jurisdiction—especially if it contains express advocacy or resembles campaign advertising.

Ultimately, the legislation was approved in a 102-40 vote. It is now being sent over to the Senate where it will have an uphill battle, as all legislation is referred and scheduled by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has been vocally opposed to Phelan.

[SuperHoneyBadger]

Said it from the get. The introduction of our ability to produce these images and messages without any effort at all leads to a reality saturated with disinformation and noise. Akin to the dead internet theory, and how traffic is ~53% bots. Then the tech and political elite will swoop in and tell us what "real" is to protect us from the harms of this loosed menace.

I get what they're trying to do - they want to curtail circulation of those videos of Kamala crying profusely while placing an 18th century gilded crown on Trump's head while he sits smugly atop a jewelled throne. Or the one where Biden is telling all trans people they are invalid and destined for suicide.

I don't know what the solution is, the cat's out of the generative bag. Media literacy isn't enough anymore, with everything happening on a phone/tablet screen for the majority it has become very hard to spot the non-obvious frauds. And maybe folks don't want to? You can't really regulate the internet at large either, you can only censor the large fish ponds. Good luck stopping cartoonists too, that doesn't happen in reality. And what about traditional post production? You're going to let liver spots and red eye photos go on billboards? I think not.


Highway to the danger zone, though, because how do you enforce this? You need digital ID to log into websites and apps, that's how. For your protection, of course.

[neurosis]

Then the tech and political elite will swoop in and tell us what "real" is to protect us from the harms of this loosed menace.

While trying to convince us that photoshopped images they are responsible for, are real.   

[Newbeeee™]

I get what they're trying to do - they want to curtail circulation of those videos of Kamala crying profusely while placing an 18th century gilded crown on Trump's head while he sits smugly atop a jewelled throne. Or the one where Biden is telling all trans people they are invalid and destined for suicide.

Yeeeeaaaahhhh to be clear, that's the real vids though.
Aren't they?

[Newbeeee™]

While trying to convince us that photoshopped images they are responsible for, are real.   

All y'all only have to look at the history of this, and the trap laid by the BBC etc ref all the BS photos and vids of Kate, and the uproar they caused because where was she, and the images and people in the vids were clearly fakes....

[Jeff]

"The "Biden admin" had an office in the Dept. of State whose job it was to censor Americans." ~Marco Rubio

"They monitored social media posts and commentary of American citizens too identify them as vectors of disinformation."

How's that for violating our Freedom of Speech?

[neurosis]

How's that for violating our Freedom of Speech?

Whatever they were doing wasn't working.

But yea.. the government being the gatekeepers of mis/disinformation is ridiculous. At least they weren't threatening to put you in jail for it.

[mkd]

Whatever they were doing wasn't working.

But yea.. the government being the gatekeepers of mis/disinformation is ridiculous. At least they weren't threatening to put you in jail for it.

Right because Trump was never kicked off Twitter and the FBI never paid them off

[neurosis]

Right because Trump was never kicked off Twitter and the FBI never paid them off

Nice strawman.