The Media Research Center’s recent study reveals a troubling pattern of Facebook’s interference in U.S. elections, documenting nearly 40 instances of censorship and manipulation since 2008. These actions include censoring 2024 presidential candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as well as candidates for Senate, House, and even state-level positions. One striking example is the removal of Virginia gubernatorial candidate Amanda Chase’s account and the abrupt halt of political advertising just one week before the 2020 election, significantly impacting the democratic process.
According to the study, Facebook’s leadership has displayed contradictory behavior regarding free speech. While publicly voicing support for free online speech, they have often taken actions that contradict these statements. The study points to instances where Facebook’s COO Sheryl Sandberg embraced recommendations from leftist audits, leading to increased censorship and biased content moderation practices on the platform.
In response to these findings, the Media Research Center has proposed several recommendations for government intervention. They suggest that House Speaker Johnson should initiate investigations into Facebook’s election interference, while state attorneys general and secretaries of state should enforce existing election laws to curb Facebook’s influence. Additionally, they call for state legislatures to enact measures preventing Big Tech companies like Facebook from engaging in viewpoint discrimination, a practice that undermines free expression and fair elections.
Brent Bozell, founder and President of the Media Research Center, emphasized the need for action against Facebook’s censorship practices. He highlighted the company’s track record of targeting one side of the political spectrum with censorship, calling for a halt to these discriminatory practices. Despite Zuckerberg’s public statements in support of free speech, the reality of Facebook’s actions tells a different story, one that prioritizes appeasing leftist demands over protecting fundamental freedoms.
The Media Research Center’s detailed breakdown of Facebook’s interference in elections, authored by Dan Schneider and Gabriela Pariseau, underscores the complex dynamics at play. They highlight Zuckerberg’s contradictory stance on free speech and Meta’s (Facebook’s parent company) struggle to balance competing demands from both ends of the political spectrum. This struggle often results in policies and practices that stifle dissenting voices and manipulate the flow of information, raising serious concerns about the platform’s impact on democratic processes.
