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Censoring the twitter election center to mostly allow anti-McCain/Palin comments? Democracy is not just the right to vote
Censoring the Twitter election center to mostly allow anti-McCain/Palin and pro-Obama/Biden comments? Democracy is not just the right to vote. Why does twitter embrace a violation of the First Amendment? Won't this eventually harm Twitter's credibility and reputation the more this gets out to other media outlets and competition?
I’m ready for war
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Just to clarify for everyone, please note as stated above, that we display Twitter updates on election.twitter.com by:
A) Filtering all incoming messages looking for keywords (McCain, Obama, Palin, Biden, election, etc.)
B) Excluding all messages that contain profanity or phrases that could not be shown on broadcast television (because the election site is being shown on broadcast television--)
C) Displaying a random sample of the messages (there are too many messages to show them all.)
If you think your updates aren't showing, please send a request to support@twitter.com and we'll look into it for you.
3 people say
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@litmustest, your updates are showing up on election.twitter.com-- I just tested it again with success. Your updates are scrolling through with all other election updates. Keep in mind that only updates related to the election will show up.
I have attached a screen shot showing two browsers, one showing your logged in home page, and one showing election.twitter.com. I posted the test update and it appeared both in your home page and on election.twitter.com immediately. It did not disappear, it remained on the page until the other updates pushed it off.
What browser(s) and operating system are you using? Although I can't reproduce it, this could potentially be a bug.
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You are right that Twitter would absolutely lose credibility were we to editorialize through the selection of messages displayed.
The election.twitter.com site functions by simply:
A) Filtering all incoming messages looking for keywords like McCain, Obama, Palin, Biden and election,
B) Excluding from the Election Timeline all messages that contain profanity or phrases that could not be shown on broadcast television (as it often is),
C) Displaying a random sample of the messages (there are too many messages to show them all.)
We do not analyze nor do we filter for sentiment (for/against any candidate, campaign, or party.)
Please drop us a note if you'd like more detail on how the site functions.
4 people say
this answers the question
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Inappropriate?You are right that Twitter would absolutely lose credibility were we to editorialize through the selection of messages displayed.
The election.twitter.com site functions by simply:
A) Filtering all incoming messages looking for keywords like McCain, Obama, Palin, Biden and election,
B) Excluding from the Election Timeline all messages that contain profanity or phrases that could not be shown on broadcast television (as it often is),
C) Displaying a random sample of the messages (there are too many messages to show them all.)
We do not analyze nor do we filter for sentiment (for/against any candidate, campaign, or party.)
Please drop us a note if you'd like more detail on how the site functions.
4 people say
this answers the question
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I should mention spam, too. On top of profanity, we also filter out spam. -
The only one that seems to apply might be C in my case.But all of the messages around mine seemed to stay up on the boards at the time. Still leaves a lot of questions about your method of filtering.
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My comments show up on my home page but today they are not being posted to the election pages anywhere--so Twitter is censoring and i have no profanity
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I posted many comments as well (all pro-conservative comments) no profanity - How many have shown up? - ZERO. Note: they were showing up during the first debate, after that, comments I've made have disappeared. Seems very very strange
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I join with the other conservatives that are being censored.. I went after obama strong and my updates vanished from the election public stream. Twitter won't return phone calls all l.d. or reply to my problem on this site or messages I've sent Crystal. All very disturbing and I think warrants press attention at this stage of the election. If anyone has a comment please let me know on twitter (teeithigh)...thanks
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@teeithigh Twitter doesn't offer phone support of any kind, we offer all support via email for our records. Satisfaction is a wonderful place for people on Twitter to help each other, but if you need official help, please write to support@twitter.com. You've only sent me one message this morning via @reply, I replied to let you know I was looking into it as soon as I saw it. I'll be in touch with you again when I have more info for you.
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Actually, my comments, which have all been pro-Obama, have also stopped being displayed, so I don't think it has anything to do with political orientation--also, I had not bad language, etc. My posts appeared until two days ago and now the update screen shows only gray (no black/red letter count). Strange but I don't think there is anything biased in the screening. Just surprised to seemingly being shut out after having had many posts on Election 2008.
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LInda in Maryland.
Looks like it maybe a glitch in Twitter- it starts shutting you out if you post more than one post together. I have started with lengthening the time between posts with better success. -
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Hi litmustest. I wonder... will it be possible for you to try posting an update at the election.twitter.com site while it's not experiencing heavy traffic?
If you see your tweet appear in the Election timeline, then I'm inclined to think that it is indeed case C (above) that prevented your tweets from being displayed. -
Inappropriate?@litmustest you are not being censored in any way. I checked your account and everything is as it should be. For good measure, I re-posted your first update to see if it would appear in the election time line, and it did. I took screen shots for you, if you'd like them as proof, just send me an reply, I'm @crystal.
I’m not into censorship
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I have screen shots that tell a totally different story.Just posted three appropriate posts- all disappeared within seconds.
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Just watched another disappear- and that of another poster with the same opinion. My posts two days ago were staying on fine with more traffic- I'm sorry- but Twitter is censoring by the true definition
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litmustest: Have you considered the scenario that your posts aren't being removed from the election.twitter.com page; rather, there are simply so many posts that yours are being quickly replaced by others?
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That scenario was considered early- the screen shots I have show that they are being removed, not replaced.
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Hi litmustest. Have you had a chance to send Crystal an @reply as she suggested above?
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This comment was removed on 10/22/08.
see the change log -
I think the first two comments above count as a reply,unless we are needing that reply through twitter itself. A copy of those screenshots would be appreciated and then I will respond with a few of my own.
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Is see her copies of the screen shots further on the page. Still does not answer my question as my screen shots discount this.
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Inappropriate?i'm sorry, i'm kinda new to this topic? what is exactly happening with the censoring mccain/palin stuff again? help! -
Inappropriate?My problem started when I went negative Obama. The next day my updates disappeared from election2008 public view. My subscribers are able to view but thats it. Twitter hasn't responded to my problem on get satisfaction or returned 9 phone calls all long distance. Censorship is Censorship in any form. Bad move twitter believe me I intend to let people hear about this in the press.
I’m not happy
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Inappropriate?Twitter can correct me if I am wrong here, but I think that you may not understand how Twitter's Election page works. When you post to that page, your tweets will only stay on that page until they are bumped off by other, newer tweets. Have you considered that this is why your tweets no longer show up on the Election page?
Again, correct me if I am wrong here, but I want to make sure we all understand how this page works before accusing Twitter of censorship.2 Comments Add a comment
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Eric, that's true. The updates showing on the page only stay there until newer updates push them off. There are tons of updates, so it happens really fast. As Bryan said above, we can't show every single update in real time, so we display a random sampling of as many messages as we can; this is because there are too many real time messages to show them all.
As for "censorship" we're only removing updates that couldn't be shown on television, as stated in the initial post above. -
Many of my comments have been OK to be shown on TV, while many of the others I have seen stay up in the time were worthy of being 'filtered'- ie repetitive, profane, accusational etc etc.The site does not seem so random (ie all the other messages stayed in the the timeline while mine was the only one removed).
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Inappropriate?@litmustest, your updates are showing up on election.twitter.com-- I just tested it again with success. Your updates are scrolling through with all other election updates. Keep in mind that only updates related to the election will show up.
I have attached a screen shot showing two browsers, one showing your logged in home page, and one showing election.twitter.com. I posted the test update and it appeared both in your home page and on election.twitter.com immediately. It did not disappear, it remained on the page until the other updates pushed it off.
What browser(s) and operating system are you using? Although I can't reproduce it, this could potentially be a bug.
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This answers the question
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I am using Windows XP with IE7. No bugs as I operate off two different machines and am finding the same issue. Both of my machines are checked daily for any OS issues.
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I would like to see this reproduced with my comment not being at the top of the timeline as my screenshots showed that my comment did not remain in the timeline.
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Inappropriate?Just to clarify for everyone, please note as stated above, that we display Twitter updates on election.twitter.com by:
A) Filtering all incoming messages looking for keywords (McCain, Obama, Palin, Biden, election, etc.)
B) Excluding all messages that contain profanity or phrases that could not be shown on broadcast television (because the election site is being shown on broadcast television--)
C) Displaying a random sample of the messages (there are too many messages to show them all.)
If you think your updates aren't showing, please send a request to support@twitter.com and we'll look into it for you.
3 people say
this answers the question
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Thank you, Crystal, for spending so much time on this one.
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np! I like to help ;)
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You tell me I've been flagged for inappropriate language while I have found others using the same still posting. Of course they did not get complaints from the pro obama people like I did. The mccain supporters aren't babies. What we have here is selective enforcement at best and censorship at worst. I am a disabled vet/ak amputee that fought for his country and take the Constitution very seriously. Again I ask for my account to be reinstated as before like others have had and now that I know how twitter enforces their rules will find it easy to navigate thru them.
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Inappropriate?Crystal my updates still are not showing. Can u please send me a screen shot of mine working properly please. It's curious that only pro McCain people have this problem???
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Inappropriate?teeithigh: I have to be honest and say that these continuing insinuations that Twitter is somehow censoring tweets based on political beliefs is starting to sound more and more far-fetched. I think it's admirable that Crystal and others from Twitter have gone to such trouble to try and clear up this misconception. Do you not accept her explanation that the tweets that do show up are sometimes randomly chosen?
I’m starting to feel like you're just going to keep arguing
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Not far fetched- seen some posting favoritism too- unless the multiple posting from the screen name HyperDF is a glitch and I have seen the same behavior from Twitter with people posting items with similar themes having the same problem. I am not here to argue, and I dont think teeithigh is either. There is an obvious issue with Twitter. Another problem listed on the get satisfaction board regarding the TOS also points to a issue from the other side of the gambit that can be related to this issue.
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Inappropriate?Eric my insinuation is that i was barred for language while i have found the same language from Pro obama people still posting ...how would you interpet that? And Yes I find Crystal and others from Twitter very admirable also i must say. Do I accept their explanation no but very admirable still. I find all tweets admirable as I for on believe in the 1st. amendment.
I’m Hungry for 3 big macs
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None of my comments have had any profanity. I have however have posted during the time line comments that have expressed my frustration with the site.
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Inappropriate?I have to admit that I'm a little disappointed as well. I posted a comment on here 3 days ago regarding this situation, submitted a request yesterday afternoon and have had no response. If I've been flagged for some reason, it would be nice to know why. But I CERTAINLY don't believe that my comments aren't showing up because of high volume as I've tried to comment at many different times when there would be 3 to 10 minutes between tweets. I've also tested what happens in different browsers, from different IP addresses, different computers, etc...
I LOVE twitter, but the more I hang out on some of the hot political topic pages, it feels more and more like a bunch of pro-Obama spammers are ruling the roost. It could be my mis-perception, but I am a little suspicious.
I’m frustrated and intrigued
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I to LOVE twitter,and will fight to preserve my 1 amen. rights. I know where Twitter is located is a hotbed of liberals but I want to believe they are running a transparent business.However why do I never hear Pro Obama complaining of these problems? I know I have read as bad or worse comments from them. Of course the McCain people aren't quick to complain. I'm just asking to be reinstated as others have. Good luck it took me over a week just to find out why my post weren't showing up.Very furstrating indeed.
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Inappropriate?Pavlicko there is no doubt in my mind they selectively enforce the profanity rules witch boils down to censorship. I have read complaints from only Pro McCain people nothing from Obama. This is because the Obama people as you know use these mediums much more than we do and are quick to complain. I however have a surprise for them. I have found an attorney in S.F dying to try a first amendment case and from what I described to him thinks this could be it. I how ever am an disabled vet/ ak amputee on disability with limited funds. If it goes over 50k I'll have to look for another remedy. I do however think I can stir up a little hell for them in the process. I'll keep you posted.
I’m Determined
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I think you're being unreasonable. It's a shame that your comments aren't showing up, because everyones opinion is interesting to me. However, I think you've taken this far enough. I don't feel that your response is appropriate, given how hard Crystal and others have tried to help. Maybe there is some kind of selective enforcement going on, I admit you've given great evidence, but getting an attorney involved? That's too far.
If Twitter was offending me, I would simply leave the site. It doesn't really hurt anything but your feelings for the comments to be censored, even if it is a sadness. -
+1 zaqqity. +1.
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zaqqity Unreasonable? The enemy that I fought against when I lost my leg was unreasonable.I don't think asking a simple clarification and to b reinstated as others have is unreasonable. It however it might be in the Pro-obama hotbed of San Fran. out in the hinterland it isn't. And as far as leaving the site? That attitude is another democratic way of handling things I however prefer to stay and fight. Also I don't get my feelings hurt or get sad about my comments being censored i get very angry.I'm in the 9th. inning of my life and every injustice I see or is perpetrated on me or my family will get 100% of my attention as it has my entire life.
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First of all - thank you for fixing whatever the issue was with my account. I'm able to post again to the hot topic rooms without incident. I don't know WHY I wasn't able to before, but I'm happy it's fixed, just the same.
That said.....
I'm a little (no actually very) irritated with your comments zaqqity. It doesn't HURT anything to have comments censored? Are you kidding me!? It hurts EVERYTHING. I know we don't pay anything to use twitter, but if there is a hidden agenda or knowledge of censorship towards a particular party affiliation (regardless of party), it needs to be spit out in the open. If Twitter is a LIBERAL messaging service - say it. Don't hide it.
Why does it matter?
Oh, let's see - we're 2 weeks out from voting for a President, and all of a sudden weird things start happening with conservative comment postings. The hot topic boards are FLOODED with pro Obama commenters which are looking more and more like Obama plants. And Eric, way to go on giving censorship a big +1. Right on. -
Censorship is bad, yes, but sometimes the fear of censorship leads to paranoia. Anonymous people threatening to devote their waking hours to alerting the press and hiring lawyers to sue over instant messages on a Web site? At that point, perhaps some sort of line has been crossed; perhaps then we need to slow down and make sure we're all certain of our accusations before going forward. I'm all for you speaking your mind, and please know that I am sincere about that. But I also want to give Twitter employees -- who use their real names and identities on this site -- the benefit of the doubt against harsh accusations (I'm a total sucker for presumption of innocence). It's been my experience that Twitter has no intention of censoring anyone.
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I'm with Eric. I wasn't trying to say that censorship is okay, just that the response to it may have been a little more, er- energetic? than I would take myself. I apolgize if it came off as anything else.
I do, however, stand by my opinion- It's just Twitter. No matter what is or isn't happening, it's 140 characters of fun, not the presidential debate. It would be nice if there was a fair and just way of discussing politics as the election nears, but I think there are other venues if this one seems to be failing. I honestly don't believe that anyone's political stance will be swung by a tweet. Perhaps I am wrong, but that's just me. -
Inappropriate?
The above two screenshots show that my comments were not bumped of the timeline, but were removed from the timeline.
I’m still not satisfied
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It was on the board for just over a minute 8:30AM to 8:31AM
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I may be wrong, but it seems you were on a "hot topic" view of the election timeline.
Specifically, you were looking at a view that's filtered to search for "watching Colin" as indicated by the words in red: "Updates about "watching Colin" from Twitter users"
The update that you had posted in the 1st screenshot didn't have those two words, which may explain why they were filtered out of the view after a few seconds...?
Perhaps you could try again but this time with both words (assuming you're still in the "Watching Colin" view) or on the main election URL itself (with no filter applied)? -
Thank you for the clarification here for the hot topic views. Have had a similar event happen though on the main election URL. I am going to leave this topic be unless I start to see these occurances again. It still does not totally satisfy every aspect of what I've seen and hope to see some changes here that I will recommend very soon. Until then- Happy Posting,
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@litmustest if you still see weirdness, send me a DM or an @reply and let me know and we'll take it from there.
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Inappropriate?I am at least thankful that these controversial comments are even allowed because its very hard to find comments anyways. I find humor can convey to the truth. All those fake pretend 1s I guess r part of what democracy can do to provide a dialogue.
I’m thankful
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Inappropriate?I want to associate myself with Senator Pavliko he mirrors my feelings regarding the post by zaggity. He gets my vote on the ongoing controversy. I now call for a quorum.1 Comment Add a comment
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They're Q's. Not G's.
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