Offering an interesting look into how different media outlets interpret social media developments, Parler continues to be a controversial platform amidst major news spots. While some sites and publications applaud the introduction of a more centrist or conservative alternative to Twitter, others mock, criticize or condemn the app as fraudulent or reactionary.
The social media platform Parler was founded in 2018 and claims a growing collection of more than 1 million users. The platform’s mission statement says it’s “committed to free speech, does not mine or sell user data, and does not censor content based on politics or ideology. Parler continues to stand with the People and against Technofascism.”
The social media platform Parler continues to cause controversy and diverse reactions as a ... [+]
To promote itself as an alternative to Twitter, Parler mounted the #Twexit Twitter campaign to encourage right-leaning users to switch away from the social media giant. Parler executives and spokespeople continue to challenge online powerhouses like Google over what they deem continued censorship against centrist or conservative commentary.
In keeping with this era of polarized politics and news outlets allowing their editorial views to influence what should be objective coverage, major media’s reaction to the social media upstarts is varied and potentially predictable.
Amongst the outlets often identified with more leftwing editorial departments, Politico and the Washington Post kept their overviews generally balanced and moderated. Meanwhile, The Daily Beast stated Parler is already “falling apart,” and Bloomberg calculated that the platform isn’t catching on with enough users.
The only major news destination that seemed upbeat on Parler and its prospects was the Wall Street Journal, the financial news outlet known for a more right-leaning take.
Regardless of how different news resources report and comment on Twitter, Parler continues to be yet another online battlefield for conservatives and progressives. Those on the right insist the app is an important social media resource if Twitter censors conservative tweets. Their ideological enemies on the left claim Parler merely gives conservatives a chance to reverse that perceived censorship back on progressives.
