Great article Pam! Your point about creators as “guides” and community builders resonates. Creators are doing much more than just generating content; they’re shaping public discourse and influencing culture. Recognizing them as workers is key, but we might also consider their ethical responsibilities. If creators are going to be treated as serious contributors, we should expect transparency around things like paid partnerships or political influences. By embracing this dual role—as both workers and trusted voices—creators can ensure that they’re not only protected but also respected as central figures in our digital age.
Creators are often caught in a vulnerable position where corporate, political, and ideological forces exert control over platforms, shaping content policies to align with their interests and effectively gatekeeping public discourse. For instance, Facebook faced backlash for removing posts and banning accounts that criticized pharmaceutical companies during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, citing misinformation policies allegedly influenced by corporate sponsors. Similarly, platforms have been accused of silencing content critical of Israel’s policies toward Palestinians, with activists and journalists frequently reporting that their posts are removed or accounts restricted without clear explanation. The aggressive nature of Zionism has made it a particularly overt and dangerous force, with Zionist influence now seen as one of the most severe threats to content creators in 2024. Such external pressures can compromise creators’ freedom to address pressing social and political issues. These influences underscore the need for stronger protections and greater transparency in content regulation, ensuring that creators can fulfill their roles without compromising their voices or values.
Looking at the current landscape of digital platforms, it’s clear that today’s creators face challenges that echo those faced by workers in other fields throughout history. Artists, writers, and industrial workers once organized to push back against exploitation, secure fair compensation, and protect their rights—often in the face of powerful opposition. Today’s creators generate immense value for platforms, much like traditional workers did for factories and publishers. By drawing inspiration from past labor movements, creators could build a unified front to negotiate fairer revenue sharing, demand transparency, and push back against arbitrary deplatforming. These movements show us that when individuals come together to protect their shared interests, they can create lasting change.
I agree with you on the transparency issue. I think the best leverage for creators is the Canadian law. We need to push for that kind of legislation here.
Content creators shoulder the risks while the platforms reap the rewards. Boom! It is shocking I had never thought of content creator rights in this way before even though this is what I’ve been working in for years! Much of our world was pushed online against our will, funnelled into systems that profit from our behaviour while we’re left thinking our financial instability is a matter of just not grinding hard enough. I am really tired of this mentality. Thankyou for a brilliant article!
Thanks so much for such positive feedback! As someone who was "restricted" by Meta, I know the power they have over our lives and connections. Many more people would have read this article, if I could have shared it with the FB network, they dismantled. I would love to see a real push in the US for a law like Canada's. Seeing so many creators deplatformed due to positions the government doesn't want spread is really scary. I would love to see some laws to protect us. Please spread the word on this! If we can fight, we will win.
Pamela, fantastic read. A refreshing take on content creation, social media platforms and free speech, or the lack thereof. Particularly prescient in these post-COVID times where we are seeing our precious content, words and ideas being squelched by the “invisible” hand of our fearful governments. At last a viable solution to the unfortunate actions of the current administration. Keep the important info flowing!
Great article Pam! Your point about creators as “guides” and community builders resonates. Creators are doing much more than just generating content; they’re shaping public discourse and influencing culture. Recognizing them as workers is key, but we might also consider their ethical responsibilities. If creators are going to be treated as serious contributors, we should expect transparency around things like paid partnerships or political influences. By embracing this dual role—as both workers and trusted voices—creators can ensure that they’re not only protected but also respected as central figures in our digital age.
Creators are often caught in a vulnerable position where corporate, political, and ideological forces exert control over platforms, shaping content policies to align with their interests and effectively gatekeeping public discourse. For instance, Facebook faced backlash for removing posts and banning accounts that criticized pharmaceutical companies during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, citing misinformation policies allegedly influenced by corporate sponsors. Similarly, platforms have been accused of silencing content critical of Israel’s policies toward Palestinians, with activists and journalists frequently reporting that their posts are removed or accounts restricted without clear explanation. The aggressive nature of Zionism has made it a particularly overt and dangerous force, with Zionist influence now seen as one of the most severe threats to content creators in 2024. Such external pressures can compromise creators’ freedom to address pressing social and political issues. These influences underscore the need for stronger protections and greater transparency in content regulation, ensuring that creators can fulfill their roles without compromising their voices or values.
Looking at the current landscape of digital platforms, it’s clear that today’s creators face challenges that echo those faced by workers in other fields throughout history. Artists, writers, and industrial workers once organized to push back against exploitation, secure fair compensation, and protect their rights—often in the face of powerful opposition. Today’s creators generate immense value for platforms, much like traditional workers did for factories and publishers. By drawing inspiration from past labor movements, creators could build a unified front to negotiate fairer revenue sharing, demand transparency, and push back against arbitrary deplatforming. These movements show us that when individuals come together to protect their shared interests, they can create lasting change.
I agree with you on the transparency issue. I think the best leverage for creators is the Canadian law. We need to push for that kind of legislation here.
Content creators shoulder the risks while the platforms reap the rewards. Boom! It is shocking I had never thought of content creator rights in this way before even though this is what I’ve been working in for years! Much of our world was pushed online against our will, funnelled into systems that profit from our behaviour while we’re left thinking our financial instability is a matter of just not grinding hard enough. I am really tired of this mentality. Thankyou for a brilliant article!
Thanks so much for such positive feedback! As someone who was "restricted" by Meta, I know the power they have over our lives and connections. Many more people would have read this article, if I could have shared it with the FB network, they dismantled. I would love to see a real push in the US for a law like Canada's. Seeing so many creators deplatformed due to positions the government doesn't want spread is really scary. I would love to see some laws to protect us. Please spread the word on this! If we can fight, we will win.
This is a great article, Pam. 🙏🏽 I love this proposal and would love to see us adopt it as Canada has.
Yes. It’s interesting that Canada’s new law for platform workers hasn’t been widely discussed here in the US yet. I think we need it!
Pamela, fantastic read. A refreshing take on content creation, social media platforms and free speech, or the lack thereof. Particularly prescient in these post-COVID times where we are seeing our precious content, words and ideas being squelched by the “invisible” hand of our fearful governments. At last a viable solution to the unfortunate actions of the current administration. Keep the important info flowing!