时间:2025-04-26 17:32:35 来源:网络整理编辑:焦點
Amazon Prime's documentary genre features many Academy Award-winning feats of investigative journali
Amazon Prime's documentary genre features many Academy Award-winning feats of investigative journalism. But it has a problem: Amazon categorizes legitimate documentaries from HBO and PBS in the same way that it does conspiracy theory films from the likes of Alex Jones.
The Telegraphfirst reported the troubling appearance of conspiracy theory "documentaries" on the streaming platform, in particular films from Jones and noted crazy-person David Icke. Jones is the talking head of InfoWars, who is currently being sued by families of Sandy Hook shooting victims for claiming that the deaths of their children was a hoax. Icke is a conspiracy theorist who calls himself a "conspiracy realist."
SEE ALSO:YouTube's algorithm is hurting America far more than Russian trolls ever couldConspiracy theories aren't just kooky -- they can have dangerous real world consequences. In general, they erode faith in our institutions and the pure veracity of facts (something that is already declining). They also spread misinformation that can lead to violence, which Americans witnessed in 2016 after a bizarre claim about Hillary Clinton, a pizzeria, and child sex-trafficking led to a shooting. That was called "Pizzagate," a conspiracy theory that Alex Jones helped disseminate.
For Amazon, the question of whether a platform should even make these films available is up for debate -- a debate that has also rocked platforms like YouTube and Facebook. But what seems most concerning is the categorization of conspiracy theory films as "documentaries," alongside legitimate works of nonfiction filmmaking, without any context about their creators or factuality.
In particular, Amazon categorizes an Alex Jones film claiming that Obama's presidency is a high-level scheme to initiate worldwide slavery as a documentary. Icke's films, including 'The Reptilian Agenda,' which details the story of how lizard-people rule the planet, also receive the documentary tag.
Furthermore, once you watch one Icke or Jones documentary, Amazon is happy to serve you more content about the Illuminati or the enslavement of the US via FEMA camps (thanks to Alex Jones again for that one).
The problem here is that through the mere appearance on Amazon, and the further "documentary" tagging of this content, Amazon lends these conspiracy theory films legitimacy, without any context.
How did these films show up on Prime? Generally, large content distribution deals govern what appears on platforms like Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu. In its Prime FAQ, Amazon explains the Availability of Prime Titles: "The selection of movies and TV shows available with Prime Video is always changing--new titles are added to the Prime Video catalog, and occasionally titles are removed."
Mashable has reached out to Amazon to learn how these films in particular made it to Amazon, and whether there are any plans to remove or recategorize them. We will update this story if and when we hear back.
TopicsAmazonAmazon Prime VideoPolitics
Slack goes down again, prompting anxiety everywhere2025-04-26 17:03
The 2023 Met Gala: Theme, time and guest details2025-04-26 16:59
'Ted Lasso' Season 3 ending explained: One final game, and a whole lot of mess2025-04-26 16:27
Can Blackpink's Jennie save 'The Idol' from itself?2025-04-26 16:26
Tesla's rumored P100D could make Ludicrous mode even more Ludicrous2025-04-26 16:17
Southwest Airlines flights were briefly grounded nationwide. What we know.2025-04-26 15:56
Twitter users report slew of new bugs: Disappearing tweets, photo tags removed, link previews gone2025-04-26 15:56
U.S. government urges immediate recall of airbag inflators across automakers2025-04-26 15:40
The U.S. will no longer have the final say on internet domain names2025-04-26 15:13
Summer solstice: How to see Mars and Venus in the night sky2025-04-26 15:04
Despite IOC ban, Rio crowds get their political messages across2025-04-26 17:26
Memes are the latest love language, Hinge says2025-04-26 17:19
The first images of Earth are chilling2025-04-26 17:19
Disney could cut more streaming content this year2025-04-26 16:42
Over 82,000 evacuate as Blue Cut fire rapidly spreads in southern California2025-04-26 16:15
'Succession' helped this son's grief over his father2025-04-26 15:53
The 'crying Northwestern kid' is all grown up now2025-04-26 15:49
Stunning James Webb Space Telescope photo shows bending of spacetime2025-04-26 15:39
New Zealand designer's photo series celebrates the elegance of aging2025-04-26 15:38
V. Pappas, the COO of TikTok, has resigned2025-04-26 15:35