Whether you are a citizen of the United States or a foreign national, you may have noticed that there are many different News Topics going on in the world at the moment. From the ongoing investigation into the Trump-Russian collusion to the impeachment of Trump, there are many different reasons that one might want to read the latest news.
Coronavirus
During the past several weeks, the coronavirus pandemic has commanded attention from the worlds of health and media. With the government tightening up its fight against the virus, many people have taken measures to self-quarantine at home. But is the virus a cause for alarm?
A new study found that one in four Americans followed coronavirus news closely. This was more than the two-percent number that followed the same number of people who read traditional news. Those who read social media news were less inclined to follow the aforementioned eponymous coronavirus story.
The study compared the amount of coverage that people saw from social media, traditional news, and network television. Those who watched network television were the most likely to read about the Covid-19, although that figure dipped to 21% if social media was included.
The study also found that the most popular media type was print. This was a little surprising. This may be because it's the oldest media format.
Trump impeachment
Congressional leaders are battling over the structure of a trial that could see former president Donald Trump face charges of obstruction of Congress in the coming months. Democrats say there is enough evidence to convict, while Republicans say the charges are unsubstantiated.
The House and Senate have both approved articles of impeachment against Trump, and both parties have been trying to push the process forward. The House was able to submit an article of impeachment to the Senate before the end of the year, paving the way for a trial in early January.
The Senate will face a challenge, though, because the former president doesn't have to appear at the trial. In fact, the House and Senate are expected to vote on the articles in the coming weeks. In order to convict, a majority vote is required, but that doesn't mean all Democrats will vote for it.
Some Republican senators in safe states are more concerned about the political fallout of a challenge from a fellow conservative. Several of those senators are running for reelection next year. They could face attack ads from Democrats, and could even face backlash from primary voters.
Walmart plans to administer Covid vaccines
Until the FDA approves the COVID-19 vaccine, Walmart plans to administer it in selected locations. In addition to the vaccine, the company is providing information in English and Spanish. Walmart also has a "Get Out the Vaccine" campaign that is encouraging shoppers to get an updated flu shot.
The company will offer the COVID-19 vaccine to selected groups of people, including children. Walmart will prioritize vaccines for eligible people, including those in hard-to-reach areas. It is planning to distribute up to 10-13 million doses per month.
Walmart has partnered with the CDC and other health organizations to provide information to consumers. It has also expanded outpatient services and opened more Walmart Health Centers. It is also sending millions of text messages to consumers.
Walmart has administered the COVID-19 vaccine in more than a dozen states. In those states, about 80% of the vaccines have been administered. The company is preparing over 5,000 pharmacies to receive vaccine doses.
Facebook's inaction on misinformation and hate speech
Despite an increased focus on the role of Facebook in spreading misinformation and hate speech, the company has not taken any meaningful action against the problem. The company's own reports on the topic are skewed and misleading, according to a whistleblower who accessed internal Facebook documents. The documents, which have been leaked to the Wall Street Journal, provide an inside look at Facebook's inaction on misinformation.
Internal documents from Facebook show that the company did not properly enforce its policies, allowing misinformation to flourish in India, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. Facebook's algorithms also increase the exposure of users to hate speech. This is especially true in countries like India, where Facebook allows hateful content to circulate.
A former Facebook employee recently wrote a detailed post offering rare insight into the company's hate speech efforts. She outlined how Facebook executives permitted celebrities and politicians to post whatever they wanted. The post also noted how the company has ignored the need to control violent behavior.
No comments yet