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Facebook redesigns trending topics a year after bias allegations

Alessio Jacona / Flickr cc

Facebook announced Wednesday it has redesigned its 'Trending Results' page to include coverage from multiple publications outside of one's primary interests in addition to news from family and friends. The company announced earlier this year that there is no predetermined list of publications that are eligible to appear in the Trending Results page and that trending topics and publications featured will be based on algorithms that combine popularity and engagement.

Why it matters: Facebook came under fire last Spring after reports that its human moderators were suppressing conservative content, leading to an inquiry by the Senate Commerce committee. To reduce liability, Facebook removed human moderators from its trending topics column that Summer, though humans still field content complaints. Today's announcement is the first major update to the Trending Topics feature this year.

Between the lines: Facebook's business model and mission aren't exactly aligned, and this is an example of how the company is working to bridge that gap. From a business perspective, Facebook is a data-driven advertising company that makes money by making its platform accessible to all content. From a mission perspective, Mark Zuckerberg announced earlier this year his goal to make Facebook a "social infrastructure" network, that grows on the premise of connectivity and exposure to new ideas, people and perspectives.

More details: The feature will roll out on iPhone first, then Android and Desktop. Facebook is also testing a "top three" news stories of the day by geographical region to be featured more prominently on mobile.

Go deeper

Rebecca Falconer
56 mins ago - Politics & Policy

In photos: Protests outside fortified capitols draw only small groups

Armed members of the far-right extremist group the Boogaloo Bois near the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing on Jan. 17. About 20 protesters showed up, AP notes. Photo: Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images

Small groups of protesters rallied outside fortified statehouses over the weekend ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration Wednesday.

The big picture: Some protests attracted armed members of far-right extremist groups but there were no reports of clashes, as had been feared. The National Guard and law enforcement outnumbered demonstrators, as security was heightened around the U.S. to avoid a repeat of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots, per AP.

See photos (<1 min. read)Arrow
Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
4 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Trump to issue at least 100 pardons and commutations before leaving office

Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump plans to issue at least 100 pardons and commutations on his final full day in office Tuesday, sources familiar with the matter told Axios.

Why it matters: This is a continuation of the president's controversial December spree that saw full pardons granted to more than two dozen people — including former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort, longtime associate Roger Stone and Charles Kushner, the father of Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

  • The pardons set to be issued before Trump exits the White House will be a mix of criminal justice ones and pardons for people connected to the president, the sources said.
  • CNN first reported this news.

Go deeper: Convicts turn to D.C. fixers for Trump pardons

Stef W. Kight, Kadia Goba
6 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Schumer's m(aj)ority checklist

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Capitalizing on the Georgia runoffs, achieving a 50-50 Senate and launching an impeachment trial are weighty to-dos for getting Joe Biden's administration up and running on Day One.

What to watch: A blend of ceremonies, hearings and legal timelines will come into play on Tuesday and Wednesday so Chuck Schumer can actually claim the Senate majority and propel the new president's agenda.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow