Facebook to Ban Some Criticisms of Immigration in Reactionary Ban
Tom Pappert
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Facebook will ban certain speech critical of immigration in addition to banning all speech the digital giant deems to be complementary toward “white nationalism” and “white separatism.”
In its new ban on speech it disagrees with, Facebook’s official press release is apparently incomplete according to Vice News, which apparently has access to Facebook’s new mind reading machine. Vice News claims this ban also include some anti-immigration speech.
Vice News added to Facebook’s new policy, explaining that phrases including “‘Immigration is tearing this country apart; white separatism is the only answer'” (emphasis added) would also be banned by the platform.
Facebook did not mention immigration even in passing in its press release. Vice News appears to be the only outlet reporting this insight, relying solely on anonymous Facebook employees as its sources.
Facebook clarified in its release that the company’s policy change will not be wide reaching, as it already stood against much of the newly censored speech. It merely claims that there is no discernible difference between “white supremacy” and “white separatism” or “white nationalism.”
The Big Tech Giant simply explained that after “conversations with members of civil society and academics who are experts in race relations,” they arrived at this conclusion.
Facebook did not provide the evidence that led them to this understanding. It also notes that examples such as “American pride and Basque separatism” will continue to be allowed on the platform.
Their reasoning for including certain speech critical of immigration in the reactionary ban remains unknown.
It appears users will, once again, simply have to watch and react to this new policy change in the coming weeks and months.
Facebook has been under increasing criticism from the right, as many high profile individuals and groups have either been censored by the social media platform or banned from it entirely. The platform recently banned former Breitbart London editor Raheem Kassam, and the alternative news giant ZeroHedge.
Most recently, Facebook banned Australian new media personality Avi Yemini after he responded to a Comedy Central hit piece by posting unedited footage showing host Jim Jeffries express anti-Islamic views the platform likely considered hate speech. Jeffries’ hit piece was allowed to remain on the platform.
A recently introduced Florida bill would allow the state to fine Facebook and other social media websites up to $75,000 for infringing on the freedom of expression and religion of Floridians.
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