Amidst the surprising U.S. Presidential race results electing Donald Trump, many pointed their fingers at Facebook for fabricated stories circulating the site at the height of the campaign period. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg detailed his team’s new strategies on getting rid of fake news to save the site’s credibility. They would involve an improved detection system, easier reporting by users, and changes to the site’s advertisement system.
Business analysts were apprehensive upon hearing the social networking giant’s intention of modifying its advertisement system, as it could directly impinge its revenue figures. Advertisers’ claim of inaccurate metrics and toil of its advertisement server Atlas counted up to the sliding income forecast on the next set of quarterly reports.
Vocabulary:
amidst – [preposition] in or into the middle of something
fabricate – [verb] to create or make up something to trick people
apprehensive – [adjective] afraid that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen
impinge – [verb] to have a bad effect on
toil – [noun] long hard labor
True or False:
- Fabricated stories on Facebook were blamed for the result of the recent US Presidential election.
- Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg had made no actions regarding the issue.
- Facebook would have an improved detection system, easier reporting by advertisers and changes to its advertisement system.
- Business analysts were not worried about Facebook’s future actions.
- The article is about Facebook having good advertising strategies.
Defend your argument:
- The Internet has nothing to do with someone’s decision and right to vote.
- No one should trust people they meet online.
- If you were the CEO of Facebook, would you worry more about the business analysts and their outlook for your company’s profit, or the users of your site and their interests? Why?
Express your opinion:
- What is your opinion regarding the latest US Presidential election?
- Do you agree that the internet can affect someone’s beliefs and opinions with articles they read online?
- Share your thoughts about this quote: “By giving people the power to share, we’re making the world more transparent.” – Mark Zuckerberg