B06 - The Impact of Social Media on Government and Politics
Musicians and Political Movements
Music and politics have been involved for decades. Similar to the topic discussed in last week’s blog, activism is very prevalent within the music industry. In the past, musicians such as Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, and John Lennon were all famously activists. Musicians of the 60s/70s used their music to communicate their message, also hosting/participating in benefit concerts or offering direct endorsements of political candidates. Modern musicians often use social media as a way to influence public opinion, raise money, and rally support for movements. Musicians are still writing about equality in their music today, but social media has given artists new forms of influence. Aligning their art with activism allows musicians to amplify the voices of marginalized communities. Popular artists with substantial influence sometimes help shape discussions on crucial social or political issues.
How do musicians use social media to engage in politics?
Social media has revolutionized how musicians engage with politics, providing them with direct communication to thousands, sometimes up to millions of followers. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok allow artists to share their political opinions, promote petitions, and encourage voter participation in real time. Taylor Swift, a musician who previously remained apolitical, used her social media presence to endorse democratic candidates and discuss policies affecting her LGBTQ+ fans. She also highly encourages voter registration, which saw a significant uptick among younger generations, who may have been influenced by Swift’s social media call-to-action. Another example is Beyoncé, who uses her platform to raise awareness about police brutality and systemic racism. Musicians with large platforms have a wide reach, and often significant influence.
Hashtags, live streams, and viral challenges help artists mobilize audiences quickly, whether supporting social justice movements or calling out politicians. Social media also enables collaboration between musicians and advocacy groups, amplifying messages to global audiences. However, there has been recent questioning of algorithm influence/suppression. META, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, announced at the start of 2024 that they will begin limiting the amount of political content users see on their apps. An NPR article mentions that many users are “criticizing Meta for limiting political content in a year when the U.S. and several other countries will be holding pivotal elections — and for doing so with relatively little warning.”
Musicians and AI Protection Laws
The rise of generative AI has sparked concern among musicians about intellectual property rights and fair compensation for content usage. AI-generated music can mimic artist/genre styles, voices, and even specific compositions. And its ability to do so at a rapid speed threatens the livelihood of artists. Many artists argue that AI cheapens the emotion in lyriscm and disregards true musical exploration in compositions. Without legal protections, AI-generated content may devalue authentic music, making it harder for artists to sustain their careers.
Musicians are addressing these concerns by advocating for stronger copyright laws and stricter regulations on AI-generated content. Many iconic figures in the industry, such as Sir Paul McCartney , have voiced their concerns and called for legislation that ensures artists have control over their work and whether or not it's ingested by AI training algorithms. Musicians are using social media platforms to push for change, urging fans to stay vigilant, and asking politicians to recognize the risks AI poses to creative industries. By testifying before Congress, signing open letters, and rallying public support through social media, musicians are demanding policies that safeguard their work. Organizations like the Recording Academy and the Artist Rights Alliance are working with lawmakers to draft policies that protect musicians from unauthorized AI replication. These protections cannot come fast enough, as generative AI advances and music/art theft becomes more and more prevalent.
Social Media & Politics - My Opinions
I would say I have definitely become more involved in politics because of social media. I’ve always been fairly political because of my parents, but being on Instagram at such a young age taught me a couple things about politics. I gained many perspectives from many different people online, and learned some nuances in political opinions. I also learned how to have debates, how to defend my view/opinion, and most importantly when it's worth it to take the time. I find I much prefer to communicate about politics in person, especially with peers who are open to forming new opinions/shifting their views. Talking politics online is usually either screaming into the void or arguing with someone who is never going to change their stance, or even bother to try understanding why you take your stance.
I’m not sure social media sites can effectively communicate with potential voters. Maybe users on those platforms can attempt to successfully communicate to voters, but social media platforms are not designed for this, and in my opinion, it shows. Platforms that rely on user generated content should not be anyone's main source for consistent, unbiased, reliable news. Maybe it could be argued that there are weird/partial exceptions, for instance, when large journalism platforms (ie. New York Times, NPR) have an official profile on a social media site. Individuals on social media platforms are not always trustworthy, and it's too easy to present opinions disguised as facts. Many users on social media spew plain lies as well. I wish social media hadn't become such a popular source for political communication, because I don’t think it's very effective.
