[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] >> YOU AND I WE NEVER MEET.

-- WILL PROBABLY NEVER MEET.

>> BECAUSE WHAT I TREAT -- >> IS SO RARE.

>> BUT IF YOU NEED ME -- >> I AM HERE.

>> I AM HERE.

>> I AM HERE.

♪ >> TONIGHT ON RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

>> BACK IN THE 80'S, AS RHODE ISLAND'S FIRST FEMALE ATTORNEY GENERAL, ARLENE VIOLET WAS NICKNAMED ATTILA THE NUN.

HOW WOULD YOU APPLY LESSONS FROM THAT FIGHT TO THESE?

>> WITH EXTREME DIFFICULTY.

>> IT IS RIGHT NEXT TO MY GRANDPARENTS.

>> THAT IS A SENATOR JACK REED.

THAT IS FORMER GOVERNOR, NOW COMMERCE SECRETARY GINA RAIMONDO.

>> IT IS ALL IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> ONLY IN RHODE ISLAND.

♪ >> GOOD EVENING, WELCOME TO RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

MICHELLE: THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR ONCE OBSERVED THAT ARLENE VIOLET LOOKS LIKE A NUN, WHICH SHE WAS, BUT TOXIC A CRUSADING PROSECUTOR, WHICH SHE ALSO WAS.

IN RHODE ISLAND POLITICS, SHE WAS A PIONEER IN FORCE OF NATURE, TAKING ON PUBLIC CORRUPTION AS THE STATE'S FIRST FEMALE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

SHE RAN AS A REPUBLICAN.

ARLENE VIOLET PUTS HER VALUES FRONT AND CENTER, URGING ALL OF US TO DO BETTER.

SHE RECENTLY SAT DOWN FOR A CHAT WITH CAN TRIPPING REPORTER DAVID WRIGHT.

-- CONTRIBUTING REPORTER.

DAVID: SHE IS A RHODE ISLAND ICON.

ARLENE: I AM GOING TO BE YOUR CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

DAVID: AMERICA'S FIRST FEMALE ATTORNEY GENERAL, VOICE OF CONSCIENCE IN RHODE ISLAND POLITICS.

ARLENE: BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS HAVE DONE NOTHING ABOUT THIS, BECAUSE THEY ARE IN THE MIDST OF BIG BUSINESS.

DAVID: SHE IS NO SHRINKING VIOLET.

[LAUGHTER] BACK IN THE DAY, THEY CALLED HER ATTILA THE NUN.

AT AGE 78, SHE HAS NOT GIVEN UP THE FIGHT.

ARLENE: I WANTED TO ENCOURAGE MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS TO CONTINUE TO TILT.

THERE IS A ROLE TO PLAY TO TRY TO BRING US BACK TO OUR SENSIBILITIES, IF NOT MORALLY, AT LEAST AS A NATION.

WE HAVE THESE PRINCIPLES THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO GOVERN US.

DAVID: SHE GOT THE FIGHTING SPIRIT AT A EARLY AGE IN NEWPORT, NOT FAR FROM THE GILDED AGE MANSIONS ON THE CAMPUS OF SALVE REGINA, FOUNDED BY THE SISTERS OF MERCY, IT WAS ORIGINALLY A WOMEN'S COLLEGE CHARTER TO PROMOTE VIRTUE AND LEARNING.

SEE INTO THE CONVENT IN 1960?

ARLENE: 1961.

I THOUGHT I WOULD GET KICKED OUT, BECAUSE I WAS SORT OF WILD WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

DAVID: SHE DID NOT GET KICKED OUT.

SHE GRADUATED AND TOOK HER VOWS.

CATHOLIC NUNS ALL TAKE VOWS OF POVERTY, CHASTITY AND OBEDIENCE.

THE SISTERS OF MERCY TAKE A FOURTH VOW, SERVICE.

ARLENE: I JUST TOOK TO IT.

OF COURSE, THE ORDER TALKED ABOUT RESPONDING TO THE UNMET NEED AND WHAT MADE SOMETHING UNMET WAS NOBODY HAD DONE IT YET.

IT SOUNDS STUPID, BUT THE CONVENT TURNED ME INTO A FEMINIST BECAUSE THEY WOULD ACTUALLY HAVE YOU ENCOURAGED TO TRY THINGS NO ONE HAD TRIED BEFORE.

DAVID: UNMET NEEDS IN THE 1960'S AND CREW THE -- INCLUDED THE FIGHT FOR CIVIL-RIGHTS AND PROTESTING THE VIETNAM WAR.

IS IT TRUE USED TO GO TO ANTIWAR RALLIES?

ARLENE: I DID.

SOMETIMES I WOULD NOT HAVE ONE, BUT I WOULD BORROW IT FROM ANOTHER NONE FROM ANOTHER ORDER.

[LAUGHTER] IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME TO SHOW THAT THE CHURCH WAS STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PROTESTERS AND THE HIPPIES.

DAVID: HOW DID THEY RESPOND TO YOU?

ARLENE: FINE.

FINE, I GUESS.

OCCASIONALLY, I GOT DRAGGED INTO POLICE STATIONS WITH THEM.

IN RHODE ISLAND, PARTICULARLY PROVIDENCE, POLICE WERE MOSTLY CATHOLIC.

SO I WAS SORT OF AN EMBARRASSMENT FOR THEM.

[LAUGHTER] DAVID: SHE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST NUNS TO MOVE FROM THE CONVENT INTO THE COMMUNITY, TAKING UP RESIDENCE IN THE OLD HEART AVENUE HOUSING PROJECT.

MOST OF HER NEIGHBORS DID NOT TAKE VOWS OF POVERTY, BUT THEY WERE STUCK WITH IT ANYWAY.

ARLENE: A LOT OF POOR PEOPLE THERE.

THAT EXPERIENCE SHOWED ME THAT POOR PEOPLE ARE VICTIMS.

THEY WERE POWERLESS.

THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, VICTIMIZING THEM BY GIVING THEM THE VOICE.

SO BY SEEING WHAT WAS HAPPENING, I JUST SAID, THIS IS AWFUL.

I HAVE TO BECOME A LAWYER.

DAVID: IT WAS THAT POINT HE DECIDED TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL.

ARLENE: I ASKED MY SUPERIORS, THEY SAID SURE, IF YOU GET IN, THAT IS FINE.

DAVID: SHE GOT IN AND WENT TO BOSTON COLLEGE LAW SCHOOL.

SHE GRADUATED, SHE BECAME A ONE AND NONE AT LEGAL AID SOCIETY.

SHE SAW FIRSTHAND HOW RHODE ISLAND WAS RIGGED, CORRUPTION RAMPANT.

>> YOU PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GIVING ME FOR A LONG TIME.

I WISH I WAS NOT ON TRIAL AND HAVE GOT THIS CASE COMING UP.

DAVID: RAYMOND WAS THE BOSS OF THE NEW ENGLAND MAFIA, HOLDING COURT AT OF THE COIN MAT ON FEDERAL HILL AND PROVIDENCE.

ARLENE: WHEN I RAN IN 1982, HE WAS OUTSIDE HIS SHOP AND SMOKING A CIGARETTE.

HE HAD HIS WHITE SOCKS ON.

I WAS WALKING BY, HE SAID HI SISTER.

I SAID I AM NO SISTER TO YOU.

[LAUGHTER] DAVID: BUT DEVILED BY LEGAL PROBLEMS AND FAILING HEALTH, HIS REIGN AS THE NEW ENGLAND CRIME BOSS WAS STARTING TO CRUMBLE.

>> A CROWD OF THE CURIOUS GATHERED OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE TO WATCH AS HE ARRIVED.

HE LOOKS TERRIBLE, EYES CLOSED, OXYGEN TUBES IN HIS NOSE AND MEDICATION BEING POURED INTO HIM AS HE WAS CARRIED UP THE STEPS OF THE BUILDING INTO COURT.

DAVID: THIS 1981 NEWS STORY SHOW SOME ON A HOSPITAL GURNEY FACING MURDER CHARGES.

>> THE ATTORNEY SAID HE PLEADS INNOCENT ON BOTH COUNTS.

DAVID: THAT SAME YEAR, ARLENE VIOLET MADE HER FIRST BID FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.

ARLENE: I THOUGHT IT WAS A NUN LIKE THING TO DO TO RUN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

DAVID: BUT YOU DID NOT WIN.

ARLENE: I DID NOT.

DAVID: EVEN THOUGH SHE RAN AS A NOVELTY RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT ISSUES THAT MATTERED, SHE HAD A STRONG ENOUGH SHOW TO ENCOURAGE HER TO RUN AGAIN.

WHEN YOU WON, YOU ARE FACED WITH THE CHOICE.

ARLENE: A LITTLE BIT BEFORE I ONE.

THE POLES WERE COMING UP TO SHOW THAT I COULD WIN.

THE BISHOP GAVE ME A CHOICE OF I COULD EITHER STAY SISTER OF MERCY OR I COULD CONTINUE TO RUN AN OFFICE.

IT WAS TOUGH FOR ME, I HAD BEEN A NUN FOR 23 YEARS.

I LOVED IT.

BUT TO ME, IT WAS A CHOICE BETWEEN THE REALITY OF COMMITMENT, WHICH WAS RESPOND TO UNMET NEEDS OR I COULD KEEP THE TITLE OF BEING A NUN BUT NOT KEEP THE REALITY BUT THAT COMMITMENT WAS.

THAT WAS HOW I DECIDED.

DAVID: IN 1984, THE YEAR SHE TOOK OFFICE -- >> FROM SOUTHEASTERN DOING LYNN'S LEADING NEWS STATION, NEWS WATCH 10 10. .

>> THE KINGPIN'S DEDICATE OF 76.

-- DEAD AT THE AGE OF 76.

ARLENE: ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID WAS TELL PROSECUTORS THEY COULD NOT GO TO MOB RESTAURANTS, BECAUSE THEY WOULD GO AFTER WORK AND HAVE THE FOR THE DRINKS OR MEALS PICKED UP.

SO I THREATENED, I SAID YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE YOUR JOB.

YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

HOW CAN THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE YOU ARE GOING TO PROSECUTE THESE GUYS WHEN THEY ARE PAYING FOR YOUR DRINKS AT NIGHT?

THAT LED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO WANT TO IMPEACH ME LIKE A MONTH OR SO AFTER I WAS IN OFFICE.

DAVID: THE PROBLEM WAS NOT JUST THE MAFIA, BUT THE CORRUPTION THEY SPAWNED AS SHE LATER TOLD C-SPAN.

ARLENE: SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK MOB GUYS ARE THOSE KINDS OF GUYS, THAT IS NOT TRUE.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE INCREDIBLY INTELLIGENT, THEY PULL SOME SCAMS, FOR EXAMPLE ON WALL STREET, THAT WOULD MAKE BERNIE LOOK LIKE A PIKER.

DAVID: SHE TOOK ON THE MOB AND DRUG CARTELS.

ALONG COMES SISTER ARLENE, ATTORNEY GENERAL ARLENE AT THIS POINT.

NO LONGER SISTER ARLENE.

WE YOU SCARED?

ARLENE: NO.

I DON'T GET SCARED.

I THINK THAT IS THE SISTER OF MERCY THING.

DAVID: DID YOU THINK YOUR LIFE WAS IN DANGER?

ARLENE: I DON'T KNOW.

IT IS NOT ANYTHING I DWELL ON.

THEY TOLD ME I WAS.

I THINK PEOPLE OF GOING -- ARE GOING TO GET YOU, THEY ARE GOING TO GET YOU WITH OR WITHOUT BODYGUARDS.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY.

DAVID: IT IS INCREDIBLY BRAVE, STANDING UP TO THE MOB, THE DRUG CARTELS.

ARLENE: THAT IS WHAT THE JOB WAS.

IF YOU RUN TO DO A JOB, YOU SHOULD DO IT.

DAVID: SHE ALSO SOUNDED THE ALARM ABOUT RHODE ISLAND'S BAKING SYSTEM, THEN ON THE POINT OF COLLAPSE BECAUSE OF CORRUPTION AND MISMANAGEMENT AREA SHE FAMOUSLY REOPENED A MURDER TRIAL THAT INSPIRED THE MOVIE REVERSE OF FORTUNE.

>> I MEAN, WHY DID I STAY ALL DAY AT SUNNYSIDE WITHOUT CALLING THE DOCTOR?

DAVID: SHE LOST THAT CASE AND EVENTUALLY LOST HER JOB AS ATTORNEY GENERAL AND WENT ON TO WRITE BOOKS AND EVEN A MUSICAL ABOUT THE MOB.

♪ FAMILY VALUES ARE HEAVENS DESIGN, FAMILY VALUES KEEP YOU IN LINE ♪ DAVID: YOU WROTE A MUSICAL.

ARLENE: I SOUND LIKE I CAN'T KEEP A JOB.

[LAUGHTER] DAVID: THINK OF IT THIS WAY, IF THE MOB CAN BE FODDER FOR MUSICAL THEATER, THAT IS ONE SIGN IT IS NO LONGER QUITE AS SCARY AS IT ONCE WAS.

WHEN YOU STARTED TILTING AT THIS PARTICULAR WINDMILL, THE MAFIA IN RHODE ISLAND MUST HAVE SEEN THE IN CEMENT OF A PROBLEM AREA LOOKING AROUND THE LANDSCAPE OF TODAY -- INSURMOUNTABLE PROBLEM.

LOOKING RUN TODAY, THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF THOSE PROBLEMS.

I'M A CHANGE, GUNS, RACISM.

-- CLIMATE CHANGE.

HOW WOULD YOU APPLY THOSE LESSONS TO THESE?

ARLENE: WITH EXTREME DIFFICULTY.

BACK IN THE DAY, WHEN I WAS ATTORNEY GENERAL, PEOPLE DID HAVE A SENSE OF RIGHT AND WRONG.

THEY DID NOT BAPTIZE WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE.

THEY COULD SEE THERE WAS PEOPLE AND THEY WANTED TO GET RID OF IT.

-- EVIL.

THEY KNEW IT WAS WRONG OF PEOPLE WERE SELF-DEALING FOR THEMSELVES AS POLITICIANS.

TODAY, ANYTHING GOES.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT ALL FACTS ARE CREATED EQUAL SOMEHOW, INCLUDING THE MYTHS THAT EXIST.

I THINK IT IS INFINITELY MORE DIFFICULT IN THIS DAY AND AGE, BECAUSE WE KIND OF AGREE ON BASIC FACTS.

DAVID: DOES THE LAW STILL WORK TO PROTECT THE LITTLE GUY?

ARLENE: THANK GOD THE LAW STILL EXISTS.

THERE IS AT LEAST A BEDROCK OF PRINCIPLES THAT ARE BASED ON WHAT SOCIETY SHOULD BE AND WHAT IS FAIR AND JUST.

SO I CREDIT LAW WITH AT LEAST BEING THE LAST BEACON OF HOPE TO TRY AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND GET JUSTICE.

DAVID: YOU HAVE FAITH.

ARLENE: I DO, SO FAR.

DAVID: THE FORMER NUN STILL HAS FAITH IN THE BIGGER SENSE, TOO.

EVEN THOUGH THE CHURCH HAS DISAPPOINTED HER.

ARLENE: THE CATHOLIC CHURCH LOST ITS WAY BY DEFENDING THE INDEFENSIBLE DURING THE SEX ABUSE INVOLVING PRIESTS.

IT IS TERRIBLE IT LOST ITS WAY.

DAVID: WHAT WORRIES YOU MOST LOOKING AROUND THE WORLD?

ARLENE: THE DIVISION.

I REALLY DO BELIEVE -- PEOPLE SOMETIMES SAY TO ME, WHAT IS YOUR NATIONALITY?

I SAY I AM IRISH, FRENCH, INDIAN, ITALIAN.

YOU HAVE TO START THINKING THAT WAY.

JUST LIKE I THINK THAT I AM BLACK AS WELL AS ASIAN AND I AM WHITE AND I HATE ANSWERING WHETHER I AM CAUCASIAN OR NOT.

I AM HETEROSEXUAL, I'M GAY, I'M BI, AND TRANSGENDER.

WHY ARE WE MAKING THESE DISTINCTIONS?

IT'S CRAZY.

IF I HAD ANY WISH FOR THE WORLD, IT WOULD BE THAT WE STOP DOING THIS.

WHO CARES?

WE ARE ALL EQUAL.

DAVID: ON THE ONE HAND, CELEBRATE AND DIVERSITY IS AN ADMIRABLE VALUE.

ARLENE: WE DON'T BELIEVE IT.

DAVID: AT THE SAME TIME, ENCOURAGES TRIBALISM.

IT ENCOURAGES US VERSUS THEM.

THIS IS ABOUT ME, THIS IS ABOUT YOU.

ARLENE: IT SHOULDN'T.

IT SHOULD BE BEAUTIFUL, LIKE WORKS OF ART.

OR PEOPLE WHO DO TAPESTRIES OR MAKE CLOTHES FROM DIFFERENT CULTURES.

THERE SHOULD BE A WOW FACTOR TO IT, WOW, LOOK AT THAT.

I AM SO DULL COMPARED TO THAT.

IT IS WOW, THANK YOU FOR COLORING UP MY WORLD KIND OF THING.

BUT THEY DON'T DO IT.

LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR ALL OF THESE ANTAGONISMS, SEEMS TO ME.

DAVID: WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER?

ARLENE: I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS.

I WISH I HAD THIS BRAIN THAT I COULD FIGURE THAT OUT.

OTHER THAN TRYING TO CALL PEOPLE BACK TO WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE.

IF YOU ARE A MINISTER, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, GET BACK TO THE GOSPEL IS SUPPOSED TO BE.

DAVID: AT 78, ARLENE VIOLET IS NOT DONE TILTING WINDMILLS.

SHE SAYS SHE HAS NO PLANS TO RETIRE.

I THINK RHODE ISLAND IS BETTER OFF IF YOU DON'T.

[LAUGHTER] ARLENE: I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD DISAGREE WITH THAT SENTIMENT, BUT THANK YOU FOR SAYING IT.

PAMELA: THANK YOU TO DAVID FOR THAT REPORT.

UP NEXT, A POLITICIAN WHO IS OFTEN IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT IS CONGRESSMAN DAVID CICILLINE.

2021 HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT YEAR FOR THE REPRESENTATIVE CAST IN A ROLE LIKE A DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH.

HE IS CURRENTLY TAKING ON TECH GIANTS SUCH AS FACEBOOK, AMAZON AND APPLE AFTER BEGINNING THE YEAR LEADING IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE 45TH PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP.

[INDISCERNIBLE] >> THIS MOB OF WHAT I DESCRIBED AS DUMB AS A TERRACE TO BREACH THE CAPITAL.

YOU ARE WATCHING IT THINKING THIS CANNOT BE HAPPENING IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE GREATEST DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD.

PAMELA: THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN WAS IN HIS WASHINGTON OFFICE AND ADVISED TO SHELTER-IN-PLACE AS THE INSURRECTION UNFOLDED.

>> LATER IN THE DAY, ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES CAME TO MY OFFICE BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN EVACUATED FROM HIS BUILDING.

WE BEGAN TO WORK IN THAT MOMENT ON ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

DONALD TRUMP DID NOT ONCE CONDEMN THIS ATTACK.

PAMELA: HE TOOK CENTER STAGE AS ONE OF THE MANAGERS OF THE SECOND IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.

THE CONGRESSMAN, WHO IS A DEFENSE ATTORNEY, BECAME THE PROSECUTOR OF A PRESIDENT.

REP. CICILLINE: IT WAS BREATHTAKING OF HIS DUTY, HIS VIOLATION, OF HIS OATH AS OUR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

PAMELA: IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME CICILLINE HAS FACED ON A POWERFUL POLITICIAN.

HE RAN FOR MAYOR AS AN EARLY CHALLENGER TO THE COLORFUL AND CORRUPT BUDDY CNC.

CICILLINE WON THE RACE.

REP. CICILLINE: I ANNOUNCED MY CANDIDACY, EVERYONE SAID I WAS CRAZY TO TAKE ON THIS GUY WHO WAS PRETTY RUTHLESS IN HIS REPUTATION THAT WAS VERY WELL KNOWN.

PAMELA: YOU ARE NOT AFRAID OF A FIGHT.

WHERE DOES THAT SPIRIT COME FROM?

REP. CICILLINE: I THINK I JUST ALWAYS INSTINCTIVELY DONE WHAT I THOUGHT WAS RIGHT, IF IT WAS UNPOPULAR OR PEOPLE WERE BATTLING A POWERFUL FORCE, YOU FIGHT FOR EVERYTHING YOU CAN.

MY PARENTS INSTILLED IN ME AT A VERY YOUNG AGE TO STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN AND TO NOT BE AFRAID.

I HAVE TWO WONDERFUL PARENTS.

I HAVE THREE SISTERS AND A BROTHER, I AM ONE OF FIVE.

PAMELA: A MIXED MARRIAGE.

HIS MOTHER IS JEWISH AND HIS FATHER IS ITALIAN AMERICAN AND CATHOLIC.

WHILE GROWING UP, CICILLINE WITNESSED HIS DAD, WELL KNOWN ATTORNEY, DEFENDANT MANY MOBSTERS, INCLUDING THE HEAD OF NEW ENGLAND'S MOST NOTORIOUS CRIME FAMILY.

DID YOU EVER MEET RAYMOND?

REP. CICILLINE: ONLY I THINK ONCE.

PAMELA: WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?

REP. CICILLINE: I WAS YOUNG.

HE WAS A CLIENT OF MY FATHER.

I ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD MY FATHER REPRESENTED PEOPLE ACCUSED OF A VERY SERIOUS CRIMES, THAT WAS HIS JOB.

THE INTEGRITY THAT REQUIRES, OUR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE ABSENTLY REQUIRES -- ABSOLUTELY REQUIRES A PROSECUTOR AND DEFENSE LAWYER TO DO THEIR JOB.

OUT OF THAT COMES JUSTICE.

FATHER USED TO SAY IF WE DID NOT HAVE CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS, YOU LEFT IT UP TO PROSECUTORS AND POLICE TO DECIDE WHO WOULD GO TO JAIL.

PAMELA: WITH THAT IN MIND, CICILLINE IS IN FULL DEFENSE MODE, TAKING AIM AT BIG TECH TO ENSURE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE GETTING A FAIR SHAKE.

REP. CICILLINE: THE PURPOSE OF TODAY'S HEARING IS TO EXAMINE THE DOMINANCE OF AMAZON, APPLE, FACEBOOK AND GOOGLE.

SIMPLY PUT, THEY HAVE TOO MUCH POWER.

PAMELA: AS CHAIR OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY ANTITRUST SUBCOMMITTEE, HE IS LEADING THE CHARGE TO MAKE SOCIAL MEDIA MORE ACCOUNTABLE.

REP. CICILLINE: THIS WILL BE A BATTLE OF OUR LIFETIME.

YOU LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THE BATTLE BETWEEN DEMOCRACY AND MONOPOLIES, IT IS THE STORY OF AMERICA.

THE PROBLEM IS, ARE ANTITRUST LAWS WERE WRITTEN DURING THE RAILROAD AND OIL MONOPOLIES.

PAMELA: AFTER CONDUCTING CONGRESS'S FIRST INTENSIVE ANTITRUST INVESTIGATION IN A HALF-CENTURY, CICILLINE INTRODUCED BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION, SUITE OF FIVE BILLS , TO CHALLENGE THE WAY DIGITAL MARKET PLATFORMS DO BUSINESS.

CONSUMERS LOVE ORDERING ON AMAZON.

THEY LEFT POSTING PICTURES OF THEIR PET ON FACEBOOK.

WE ALL GOOGLE EVERY DAY.

THESE HAVE BEEN GAME CHANGERS.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SAY TO YOU, WHY ARE YOU GOING TO CHANGE THIS?

REP. CICILLINE: THESE FOUR COMPANIES ESSENTIALLY HAVE MONOPOLY POWER.

WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS CRUSHING INNOVATION.

THEY ARE REQUIRING COMPETITORS, ENGAGING IN VERY SENSITIVE COMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR -- ANTICOMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR.

WE'VE ALWAYS SUPPORTED COMPETITION BECAUSE COMP ADDITION BRINGS MORE CHOICE, MORE INFORMATION -- INNOVATION, BETTER QUALITY, LOWER PRICES.

THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT IS BASED ON SURVEILLANCE CAPITALISM.

THEY ARE COLLECTING ALL OF THIS DATA AND USING IT TO MANIPULATE BEHAVIOR AND BENEFIT ADVERTISERS.

PAMELA: CICILLINE SAYS THE RECENT TESTIMONY OF THE FACEBOOK WHISTLEBLOWER WAS NOT NEWS TO HIS COMMITTEE.

>> THE PRODUCTS HARM CHILDREN, STOKED DIVISION AND WE CAN DEMOCRACY.

-- WEAKEN DEMOCRACY.

REP. CICILLINE: AS IT TURNS OUT, DIVISIVE PROVOCATIVE, UNTRUE, HATEFUL CONTENT HAS THE MOST ENGAGEMENT.

THEY MAKE THE MOST MONEY FROM THE ENGAGEMENT.

THEY HAVE NO INCENTIVE TO CURATE WHAT IS ON THEIR PLATFORM, BECAUSE THEY ARE MAKING A TON OF MONEY.

THEY'RE GOING TO FIGHT ANY CHANGE TO THAT, AND WE SEE THE CONSEQUENCES OF IT.

JANUARY 6 AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THAT.

PART OF THE REASON WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DEFEAT COVID-19'S BECAUSE OF THE SPREAD OF MISINFORMATION.

PAMELA: THEY'RE GOING TO BE PEOPLE WHO SAY POLITICIANS ARE DOING THIS BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE WHAT PEOPLE PUT OUT THERE ABOUT THEM.

REP. CICILLINE: EVERYONE IS LEFT TO POST EVERYTHING THEY WANT, THAT IS FREEDOM OF SPEECH BY THE PERSON WHO DOES THE POSTING.

AFTER THAT HAPPENS, FACEBOOK TAKES THAT INFORMATION AND MAKES A COMPLICATED BUSINESS DECISION OF HOW TO APPLY A SET OF ALGORITHMS THAT WILL MAXIMIZE ITS REACH, AMPLIFIED THE MOST DANGEROUS AND TOXIC MATERIAL.

PAMELA: VERY COMPLICATED.

EVEN SOME FELLOW LEGISLATORS, COLLEAGUES DO NOT REALLY UNDERSTAND IT.

THEY ARE BACK AT MYSPACE AND YOU ARE TALKING WAY BEYOND THAT TO TIKTOK.

REP. CICILLINE: THAT IS WHY I THINK THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS HAVE BENEFITED FROM CONGRESSIONAL INACTION.

IT IS COMPLICATED, IT'S DIFFICULT MARKET TO UNDERSTAND.

COMPLICATED BUSINESS MODELS.

WE ARE NOW HAVING THE RESPONSIBILITY TO WALK OUR COLLEAGUES ARE WHAT WE FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION, WHAT THIS LEGISLATION DOES.

PAMELA: WITH THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS GETTING NEWS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA, HE SAYS THESE DIGITAL PLATFORMS SHOULD BE HELD TO THE SAME STANDARD AS OTHER MEDIA OUTLETS.

REP. CICILLINE: WE HAVE A SYSTEM OF SLANDER.

FOR NEWSPAPER -- IF A NEWSPAPER PUBLISHES SOMETHING UNTRUE, WE HAVE A COURT SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES A REMEDY.

THAT DOESN'T EXIST FOR SOCIAL MEDIA.

THEY CAN PUT UP THE MOST UNTRUE THING AND AMPLIFY IT, AND YOU CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

PAMELA: CONGRESS HOPES TO CHANGE THAT THROUGH LEGISLATION.

BUT WITH MOST AMERICANS GETTING THEIR NEWS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA, IT WILL BE AN UPHILL BATTLE.

THE TITANS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ARE OPPOSING IT WITH ALL THEIR FIREPOWER.

>> IN MANY AREAS, WE ARE BEHIND OUR COMPETITORS.

REP. CICILLINE: YOU LOOK AT WHAT THESE PLATFORMS ARE SPENDING.

MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, AND LOBBYISTS DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO DEFEAT ANY REFORMS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE GENERATED PROFITS NEVER SEEN IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD FROM THIS ECOSYSTEM.

THEY ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO STOP IT.

WE ARE ALSO BATTLING THIS ENORMOUS LOBBYING EFFORT WITH VIRTUALLY UNLIMITED RESOURCES.

PAMELA: THE ROUGH-AND-TUMBLE WORLD OF POLITICS HAS ALWAYS FASCINATED HIM.

HE WAS CLASS PRESIDENT IN HIGH SCHOOL AND HAD AN UNUSUAL HOBBY AS A KID.

REP. CICILLINE: A STICK GO TO TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS WHEN I WAS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO DRIVE, SO MY PARENTS WOULD DROP ME OFF AND PICK ME UP.

I UNDERSTOOD AT A YOUNG AGE THAT IF YOU WERE GOING TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD, POLITICS WAS THE WAY TO DO IT.

PAMELA: AT BROWN UNIVERSITY, HE FORGED A FRIENDSHIP WITH A FAMOUS POLITICIAN'S SON, JOHN KENNEDY JUNIOR.

TOGETHER, THEY FORMED THE COLLEGE DEMOCRATS.

IT IS ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE KENNEDY CLAN WHO HOLDS A PLACE OF PRIDE IN THE CONGRESSMAN'S OFFICE.

CICILLINE SAID HE PURCHASED THIS CAMPAIGN POSTER OF ROBERT KENNEDY AT THE PROVIDENCE FLEA.

REP. CICILLINE: HE IS MY HERO.

I'VE ALWAYS IN A HUGE ADMIRER OF BOBBY KENNEDY.

I THINK HE REPRESENTED WHAT YOU SHOULD BE IN PUBLIC LIFE.

HE WAS A CHAMPION AND A FIGHTER FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE A VOICE.

PAMELA: CICILLINE FOUND HIS VOICE AFTER GRADUATING FROM GEORGETOWN LAW.

HE BECAME A STATE REPRESENTATIVE IN SERVED TWO TERMS AS MAYOR OF PROVIDENCE.

THE NATION'S FIRST OPENLY GAY ELECTED MAYOR OF A MAJOR CITY.

REP. CICILLINE: IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME TO BE HONEST ABOUT WHO I WAS AS A GAY MAN AREA -- MAN, BECAUSE WE STILL LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE IT IS LEGAL TO DISCRIMINATE BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

WHEN I WAS MAYOR, THERE WAS THIS QUESTION.

IS HE TOUGH ENOUGH?

BUT I ALWAYS BENEFIT WHEN PEOPLE UNDERESTIMATE ME.

PAMELA: TODAY, AT AGE 60, THE CONGRESSMAN DOES NOT RULE OUT A RUN FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

REP. CICILLINE: I HOPE THEY STAY THERE FOR A LONG TIME, BUT IF THEY DECIDED TO LEAVE AND I WERE STILL IN OFFICE, IT IS SOMETHING I WOULD LOVE.

PAMELA: HE EMITS HIS PUBLIC LIFE HAS CHANGED THE DYNAMIC OF HIS PERSONAL LIFE.

-- ADMITS.

REP. CICILLINE: IF YOU ARE MARRIED OR HAVE A PARTNER THINKING INTO POLITICS, IT IS FINE.

BECAUSE PRESIDENTS WHO HAVE BUSY JOBS ARE MARRIED.

IT IS DIFFICULT ONCE YOU AR IN POLITICS TO BEGIN A SERIOUS RELATIONSHIP, BECAUSE YOU SAY TO SOMEONE, I HAVE TO GO TO SIX EVENTS, DO YOU WANT TO COME?

THEY WILL SAY YEAH, FOR A COUPLE NIGHTS.

I'VE HAD THE OCCASION WHERE PEOPLE ARE LIKE YOUR JOB IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN A RELATIONSHIP.

PAMELA: DO YOU FEEL WISTFUL?

REP. CICILLINE: I THINK THEY ARE THE GENERATION THAT JUST MISSED IT.

THEIR PEOPLE MY AGE WHO DO FIND A PARTNER AND GET MARRIED, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD EVER GET MARRIED ON THIS STAGE OF MY LIFE.

PAMELA: WHILE POLITICS REMAINS THE CENTER OF HIS LIFE, IT SEEMS IN MANY WAYS, IT WAS MEANT TO BE.

LISTEN TO HER HIS -- WHO HIS NEIGHBORS WERE.

THAT IS IT SENATOR JACK REED.

THAT IS A FORMER GOVERNOR, NOW COMMERCE SECRETARY GINA RAIMONDO.

REP. CICILLINE: IT WAS ALL IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD.

PAMELA: ONLY IN RHODE ISLAND.

REP. CICILLINE: ONLY IN RHODE ISLAND.

GINA LIVED AROUND THE CORNER FROM ME.

PAMELA: ONE DEGREE OF SEPARATION.

MICHELLE: AS CONGRESS CONTINUES TO PURSUE LEGISLATIVE ACTION AGAINST SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS LIKE FACEBOOK, NOW KNOWN AS METTA, OUR GUEST COMMENTATOR LYLAH ALPHONSE GIVES AS HER THOUGHTS ON WHAT ACTION PEOPLE CAN TAKE.

LYLAH: WHEN FACEBOOK CRATED THE ABILITY TO GO BEYOND LIKING A POST, ADDING LOVE, HAHA, WOW, AN ANGRY EMOJIS, IT GAVE IT AWAY TO PRIORITIZE CONTENT.

FOR MOST FIVE YEARS, AS USERS SHARED PHOTOS AND RECONNECTED WITH LONG-LOST FRIENDS, THAT FEEL-GOOD CONTENT IS NOT WHAT FACEBOOK WAS PUSHING MOST OFTEN.

ACCORDING TO INTERNAL FACEBOOK DOCUMENTS REVEALED RECENTLY, POSTS THAT SPARKED AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE, ESPECIALLY ANGER, GOT THE ROYAL TREATMENT.

THE ALGORITHM SERVED UP MORE OF IT NO MATTER WHAT ELSE WAS BEING SHARED BY THE PEOPLE YOU FOLLOWED.

THE BUSINESS GOAL WAS TO INCREASE ENGAGEMENT INTO KEY PEOPLE ON THE PLATFORM, AND IT WORKED.

THE COMPANY CONSISTENTLY COLD AND BILLIONS IN PROFIT.

THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE.

DATA MINING AND PRIVACY ISSUES ASIDE, AMPLIFYING ANGER EXPOSED MAJOR RIFTS IN COMMUNITIES LARGE AND SMALL.

IN THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD.

IT VALIDATED HATE SPEECH AND GAVE MISINFORMATION AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES ROOM TO SPREAD AND THRIVE.

KNOWING EVEN JUST A SMALL PORTION OF WHAT THE SO-CALLED FACEBOOK PAPERS REVEALED MAKES IT EASY TO WANT TO BLAME THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM FOR ALL OF THE TOXIC PROBLEMS WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH IN REAL LIFE RIGHT NOW.

IT MAKES US ANGRY.

THE VERY EMOTION FACEBOOK TRY TO LEVERAGE TO TURN A PROFIT.

IT IS REALLY HARD TO UNDO YEARS OF CONDITIONING.

THAT IS HAS SOCIAL MEDIA KEEPS US HOOKED.

IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE HAVE BEEN MANIPULATED.

SO LET US TAKE THAT ANGER INTO DO SOMETHING WITH IT.

LAWMAKERS ARE INVESTIGATING AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WORK SLOWLY, BUT PEOPLE STILL HAVE THE POWER TO TURN FACEBOOK OFF.

PAMELA: OUR THANKS TO LYLAH ALPHONSE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M PAMELA WATTS.

MICHELLE: I'M MICHELLE SAN MIGUEL.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH ANOTHER EDITION.

[CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY.

VISIT NCICAP.ORG]