Study Says Free Speech Social Media Platform Gab Is “Less Polarized,” “More Open To The Exchange of Opinions”

If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. As big-name social media platforms such as Facebook continue down a path of heavy censorship, alternative platforms like Gab are emerging as global crusaders of free speech. A recent revelation from academic research has thrust the impact of these varying paths into a new light, forcing a rethink of long-held misconceptions regarding Gab. The results trace back to a study recently published by the University of Naples Federico II, Italy, where a comparison was drawn between the discourse platforms offered by Gab and Facebook on issues wandering from vaccines to the ongoing Covid pandemic. Researchers set out with stereotypical precepts about Gab being a “conspiratorial platform.” However, they returned with a broader realization of Gab’s instrumental role in fostering open dialogue and healthy debate. Despite conventional media’s relentless portrayal of Gab as a podium for extremist views, due to its lack of censorship, the study unraveled that Gab is blooming into an unexpected arena for productive societal discourse. The microcosm of Gab revealed lesser polarization and broader receptiveness towards diverse viewpoints compared to Facebook. While Facebook encourages passive consumption of homogenized views, Gab brings to light a palette of varied perspectives, transforming into a space to share and discuss diverse and intricate world views. Contrary to researchers’ initial hypothesis that Gab was to mirror “radical, sectarian or conspiratorial” behavior they found that the platform – contrarily – encourages well-structured and impactful dialogue. Facebook, traditionally…Study Says Free Speech Social Media Platform Gab Is “Less Polarized,” “More Open To The Exchange of Opinions”