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Keep in mind that a critical element of political (and in broader scope, all) advertising, is that its effects are not simply limited to the direct recipient. Political advertising literally shapes representation and policy.

This is even more the case for narrowly targeted, and particularly negative / dissuading advertising. A chief tool and complaint in recent years has been of suppressing voter turnout, at times through issue advertising, but also specifically by spreading disinformation about candidates, voting processes, locations, times, and requirements.

Simply disabling advertising for a narrow range of users capable and motivated to block ads does not protect against the social consequences of such activities.

That's from someone who's not a free-speech absolutist.




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