Women’s Group Says If Facebook is Serious About New Policy

WASHINGTON, DC -- In reaction to reports that Facebook will end its controversial policy protecting politicians from many content-moderation rules that apply to all other uses, Maria Tchijov, Vice President at UltraViolet, a national gender-justice organization, issued the following statement:

“Five people in our nation’s Capitol had to die before Facebook suspended then-President Donald Trump ‘s account, which he used in a clear violation of Facebook’s content moderation policies to spread racism, misogyny, hate and conspiracy theories for years. Facebook always had the power to treat politicians with the same expectations that they demand from their regular users - and they consistently failed to do so.

“That’s why today’s announcement that Facebook will finally enforce its community guidelines on politicians can be described as important, but also too little, too late.”

“After years of Facebook dragging its feet - and hiding behind false claims of ‘free speech’ or the illusion of accountability in its Oversight Board - this announcement will only have real merit if it is enforced appropriately and immediately. Facebook should start by permanently suspending the accounts of Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene, who is using Instagram and Facebook to violate Facebook’s community guidelines with impunity. In the past few months alone, Greene has supported and shared Facebook posts that advocate violence against her own colleagues - including calling for the shooting of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the lynching of President Barack Obama.

“For too long, Facebook has put profit and user engagement before human life, and today’s policy announcement, unless seriously enorced, does little to change that.”