Latest news with #DroptheDeadDonkey
Business Mayor
19-05-2025
- Business Mayor
X Implements New Measures to Detect Manipulation of Community Notes
X quietly rolled out an important update to its Community Notes program last week, with the implementation of a new process that can detect coordination between Community Notes contributors. As explained by X: ' We've extended Community Notes ability to detect coordinating contributors with additional features targeting coordination between note writers and raters. When the scoring algo detects anomalous correlations in ratings, it automatically prevents those ratings from contributing to notes achieving helpful status.' In other words, when the Community Notes system detects coordination between contributors to upvote or downvote a note, it will now treat the coordinated ratings as if they all came from the same user. So, theoretically at least, that should dilute the capability for people to manipulate the Community Notes system, by coordinating with each other to mass support, or reject, notes for ulterior purpose. Which is a key concern. Various studies have found that X's Community Notes process is indeed being manipulated, with organized groups of contributors collaborating to get rid of notes that they don't want X users to see. Which is one of the reasons why 85% of all Community Notes are never displayed to X users, with notes contributors failing to reach consensus on the need for a note, or simply working together to hold back a note where such doesn't align with their perspective. And given that Community Notes are only displayed when contributors of opposing political viewpoints agree that one is necessary, many, many notes which should be shown, and which do provide valuable context, don't get displayed. Read More Newsroom satire Drop the Dead Donkey to return in stage revival That means that a lot of the most divisive political topics are free to proliferate on X, because on certain issues, people from opposite ends of the political spectrum will never agree. For example, notes on issues like voter fraud, gender debates, the U.S. government's tariffs, abortion, all of these issues are highly divided, and won't ever reach full agreement on the need for clarification, based on ideological perspectives. Which means they go unchecked, for anyone to read on X. And because they're not Community Noted, users likely think that these are true, because that's the way that X has framed it, that X is the best source of truth because the people vote on what's acceptable, and what's not. But that's not the full picture, while again, mass manipulation of the notes system also harms its overall credibility. But X's team is working on fixes, and has regularly implemented new approaches to improve the Community Notes system.
Daily Mirror
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Classic comedies 'face extinction' warns TV boss - and these are the reasons why
Classic comedies should be 'treated like vintage cars' and given exemptions from normal controversial language rules or they will face extinction, according to a TV boss Jonathan Moore, boss of REWIND TV, which broadcasts classic comedies like Please Sir! and Don't Drink The Water, says it is practically impossible for TV regulator Ofcom to keep up with changing language use - which currently brands words like 'mincing' medium offensive, meaning they could attract complaints, while 'bitch' isn't deemed offensive at all. Now, Jonathan is asking for vintage humour from a past era to be recognised for its cultural significance and for appropriate allowances to be made. He says: 'Classic cars are exempt from road tax and MoT rules when they reach 40, because they are seen to be part of the nation's history, and their preservation has cultural and historical significance. "They also appeal to a niche audience, who understand and appreciate them as being from a different time. In much the same way, classic comedy is certainly part of the nation's history, providing an insight into societal changes, as well as a window on a world long passed. Even more recent shows such as Drop the Dead Donkey and Whose Line Is It Anyway? are generally appreciated by an older audience, who understand the context in which they were recorded.' With rules relaxed for classic cars - those manufactured without seatbelts, typically before 1965, don't need them - Jonathan feels the same leniency should be shown to comedies. He wants broadcasters to be allowed to screen shows largely uncut, with only the most offensive content removed. Ofcom currently considers complaints about the broadcast of offensive language on TV and radio on a case-by-case basis, taking into account relevant factors of each specific broadcast. The regulator commissioned pollsters Ipsos MORI to conduct research to help them understand public attitudes towards the broadcast of offensive language before producing its guidance. Jonathan continues: 'We believe that shows more than 40 years old should be broadcast largely uncut – of course, we retain the right to edit content we consider particularly inappropriate – with a message explaining clearly that content that was deemed acceptable back then may not be acceptable now. Years of cuts can suffocate a show and that's something we want to avoid.' According to Jonathan, shows such as Carry on Laughing from the 1970s remain hugely popular, but broadcasters face a continual challenge to stick to censorship rules. He continues: 'Broadcasters already pepper their shows with trigger warnings; this isn't a new idea. 'But granting a 'classic comedy' exemption by default would help protect iconic shows from extinction – and losing these shows would be like losing a huge library of social commentary and changing attitudes.' TOP 10 CARRY ON FILMS: 1 Camping (1969); 2 Doctor (1967); 3 Up The Khyber (1968); 4 Nurse (1959); 5 Matron (1972); 6 Screaming (1966); 7 Cleo (1964); 8 Abroad (1972); 9 Sergeant (1958); 10 Constable (1960). TOP 10 STARS: 1 Sid James; 2 Kenneth Williams; 3 Barbara Windsor; 4 Hattie Jacques; 5 Charles Hawtrey; 6 Jim Dale; 7 Joan Sims; 8 Kenneth Connor; 9 Terry Scott; 10 Wendy Richard.
