That's why uncensored social media like Mastodon, Lemmy and the wider Fediverse is so valuable, as we can get direct reports from the people around, without being filtered or censored by anyone.
I'd say the whole free software culture is about breaking free from the confines of large companies and whoever owns the communication platforms. They usually aren't motivated by freedom and what their "users" want/need. Free software has been around since the 80s? The Fediverse is available for us, too. I'd say people who like freedom have some opportunities to enjoy it.
It doesn't really replace proper journalism, though. For example all of the local news about my city and area sadly aren't shared on any free platform. But it works alright for some other topics like IT news.
Yeah, that's an even bigger problem that doesn't really have much of a solution. Things like Fediverse might allow for the distribution of news outside the control of corporations but it doesn't help in actually getting access to unbiased journalism.
I'm glad the Fediverse doesn't have any "algorithm". But still, it's a filter bubble. And very biased. And it has the same issues as every other place on the internet. People like to spread emotional stuff, like to complain and mainly post negative stuff, because they're more motivated to write something when they're agitated. And less so in other cases... I don't think there is a solution to this.
My current way is to (occasionally) put away my phone and talk to my neighbors and friends. See what they're up to. But in turn that doesn't inform me about world politics (or tech news) 😉 And to read some random forums and blogs where people write longer, and well reasoned articles. Yeah and I also consume social media (Lemmy) and regular media. And lots of Youtube. I still feel like I'm super biased. But I'm stopping myself from reading too much news anyways. I don't think it's been healthy for me.
I really wish someone would develop multi-instance front-end where you could seamlessly view posts across multiple instances, even if they de-federated from each-other, without needing to switch between accounts.
Else, the account switching does create a bit of a barrier.
I hope world (where I am) doesn't federated from ml. Because while there are some tankies on ml, I'd rather be exposed to all of it if I wish to be, without needing to jump between accounts to view multiple feeds.
Just my two cents, and obvious begging, since I can't make these wonderful free apps and websites we've been blessed with. The option of switching is wonderful, which is why I am here.
All fediverse needs now is a solid, fully end-to-end encrypted, Facebook replacement (retro Facebook, where you just got posts from your friends, in order).
All fediverse needs now is a solid, fully end-to-end encrypted, Facebook replacement (retro Facebook, where you just got posts from your friends, in order
Sounds like you're describing Friendica. I made an account forever ago, realized I didn't actually know anybody because I was a shut in who never left the computer chair and haven't really thought about it in like a decade