Facebook Continues Censorship, Removes Pro-Life Stories Because of 'Graphic Content'
Ads featuring stories of two children who survived premature birth have been removed by Facebook.
Charlotte Ryun and Micah Pickering are the focus of the ads. Born while still eligible for late-term abortions, their stories are now being used to defend others like them who are still in the womb.
At the end of the videos, a pro-life message is displayed.
The ads, posted by the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List, contained video of the parents as well as ultrasounds and baby pictures. Although the material is mild, it ran afoul of advertising policies on the platform. Facebook has been accused by many of arbitrarily enforcing these rules.
Facebook’s explanation of the censorship, seen in an Oct. 12 email, is that the company prohibits ads that “depict medical procedures or conditions” or “feature sensational or graphic content.”
The Susan B. Anthony List fired back, saying in a tweet “why is Facebook so intent on disenfranchising Charlotte & Micah? They deserve to be allowed to tell their stories.”
The videos are far from the “graphic content” Facebook described.
They can be seen on Susan B. Anthony List’s Twitter account.
Why is Facebook so intent on disenfranchising Charlotte & Micah? They deserve to be allowed to tell their stories. But @Facebook is shutting down our ads that share how they survived premature births.
Charlotte ad – banned for being “too graphic” – decide for yourself: pic.twitter.com/DzRPl69phq
— Susan B. Anthony List (@SBAList) October 24, 2018
Here’s the ad telling Micah’s story that Facebook has chosen to censor: pic.twitter.com/A8OLKrT4xf
— Susan B. Anthony List (@SBAList) October 24, 2018
Those who have been keeping up with big tech’s censorship knows how common this is.
Beyond the rampant censorship, Facebook can’t seem to get its act together. Scandals, hacks, and breaches have created a public relations nightmare.
Data mismanagement and lack of respect from the company has caused many users to abandon the platform altogether.
Reports of fake accounts for scams and political sabotage only make the matter worse.
Addressing some of these concerns, CEO Mark Zuckerberg even spoke in front of Congress.
If Facebook really wants to gain back trust with Americans, the censorship has to end.
But with the social media giant still making regular anti-conservative decisions, the hope for Facebook transforming into a fair and balanced platform is becoming slimmer by the day.
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