United States: The time has come to raise awareness about Facebook’s persistent intrusion into the electoral procedures of the United States, a concerning pattern that has intensified since 2012 and presents a significant menace to the fundamental tenets of our republic.
A recent investigation conducted by the Media Research Center (MRC) Free Speech America has brought to light 39 instances of Facebook’s involvement in US elections since 2008, with the most egregious occurrences reaching their peak during the pivotal 2020 election period. This manipulation casts a lingering shadow over the democratic process, unveiling a colossal tech entity dictating political narratives to an alarming extent, according to reports.
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook), has made lofty gestures regarding his dedication to unimpeded expression. His discourse at Georgetown University in 2019 extolled the significance of confronting challenging concepts to achieve greater advancement. However, Facebook’s actions starkly belie his public affirmations. The platform has consistently assumed the role of truth adjudicator, selectively muting conservative viewpoints and narratives unfavorable to the liberal agenda.
The chronology of Facebook’s censorship resembles a manual for political manipulation:
2012: Suspension of a Veteran PAC for spotlighting the Benghazi attack, initiating overt political intervention.
2016: Suppression of Bernie Sanders and conservative subjects, demonstrating a bipartisan approach to managing political dialogue.
2018: Elimination of advertisements from congressional and state legislative candidates, further stifling specific political voices.
2020: During this pivotal electoral year, Facebook not only censored posts from then-President Donald Trump but also took drastic measures to suppress the Hunter Biden laptop exposé published by the New York Post, an action that many believe could have influenced the election outcome.
Arguably, the most blatant demonstration of Facebook’s authority over public discourse was the indefinite suspension of President Trump’s account in early 2021. This move deprived a sitting President of the United States of his capacity to communicate directly with the American populace through what has become one of the most influential public forums.
Reportedly, as we transition into the initial phases of the 2024 electoral cycle, it appears that Facebook’s manipulative tactics persist, albeit in a more clandestine manner. Reports indicate that engagement with posts from Donald Trump, who has recently secured a series of Republican presidential primary victories, has plummeted by 60 percent due to algorithmic alterations by Facebook. This manipulation of visibility and interaction amounts to nothing less than electoral intervention.
The evidence is compelling, and the deduction inescapable: Facebook, under Mark Zuckerberg’s guidance, has orchestrated a systematic suppression of free speech, disproportionately impacting conservative voices and directly meddling in electoral procedures. This overt partiality undermines confidence in both our media and our elections, imperiling the very essence of our democratic society.
It is imperative for legislators, regulatory bodies, and the American populace to demand enhanced transparency and answerability from Facebook and other tech behemoths. The future of our democracy may hinge upon our collective ability to restrain these unchecked powers and ensure a fair and unobstructed public dialogue. Let us unite to safeguard our sacred electoral integrity and uphold the principles upon which our great nation was established.