NOTE TO STUDENTS: Before answering the questions, watch the videos under “Resources” below.

1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. (In this article, 1st and 2nd paragraphs). List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. How did Gov. DeSantis describe big tech companies?

3. Define the following terms as used in the article:
-Big Brother
-oligarch
-censorship
-deplatform
-viewpoint discrimination

4. What will the proposed “Transparency in Technology Act“ legislation do, according to Gov. DeSantis?

5. How do social media companies/big tech discriminate against conservatives and Trump supporters?

6. a) What do social media companies do during elections to give the candidates they support an advantage over the other candidates?
b) How will Florida address this in the proposed legislation? Be specific.

7. a) What do you think of Florida Gov. DeSantis’s assertions about big tech?
b) Do you think every state should pass legislation to protect Americans from online social media censorship? Explain your answer.

8. a) Why should every American be highly concerned by big tech’s censoring/deplatforming of people with whom you disagree politically?
b) Ask a parent the same question.

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CHALLENGE: Consider the video (at the bottom of the article page) on Section 230--the 1996 Communications Decency Act.

Donald Trump and his supporters say Section 230 should be eliminated as it allows big tech's liberal bias and has granted Big Tech almost blanket immunity.

What do you think?