American Conservative journalist Rod Dreher recently attempted to post his piece dissecting the crumbling Jussie Smollett “hate crime” narrative on Facebook. Here’s what happened:
You are not allowed to say on Facebook that Jussie Smollett carried out a hate hoax. pic.twitter.com/jnFx7aQFbS
— Rod Dreher (@roddreher) February 17, 2019
If you take the time to read Dreher’s piece, you won’t find anything that seems like it would violate any community standards. Unless Facebook’s community standards include not exposing liberal media, celebs, and politicians for their roles in perpetuating what will, in all likelihood, ultimately be proven to be a hoax.
This is what I get when I try to share that article pic.twitter.com/nOu6dd1Fyz
— Mark “learn 2 code” C ?? (@UntraceableMC) February 17, 2019
For what it’s worth, Matt Yglesias also attempted to share a story on Smollett’s case unraveling to his own Facebook page and didn’t have any issues:
I am eager to embrace anti-Facebook narratives, but in the spirit of not spreading misinformation based on early partial reports I tried it myself after I read Dreher’s post and there was no problem. pic.twitter.com/28dqGOw0kn
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) February 17, 2019
So maybe Facebook only has a problem with stories on Smollett written from a conservative perspective. As PJ Media reports, Dreher wasn’t the only conservative journalist whose Smollett articles rubbed Facebook the wrong way:
My friend @JenKernsUSA’s incisive column on #jussiesmolett and the hoaxes of the past, has been blocked by @facebook for “violating community standards” — but you can read and share it here — https://t.co/qHkRBzdP6x
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) February 16, 2019
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Both @Facebook and @Instagram have been on a roll trying to censor conservative writers this weekend. First they blocked @JenKernsUSA and froze her Instagram account over this column on Jussie Smollett. https://t.co/A62kGjAfPR
— August Takala (@RudyTakala) February 17, 2019
Now, as Dreher later noted, Facebook eventually allowed him to post his article:
Am now told that Facebook has lifted the ban on my #JussieSmollettHoax post. Good. I'm leaving my FB account deactivated all the same. https://t.co/UNGfIeGFlU
— Rod Dreher (@roddreher) February 17, 2019
But the fact that they prevented him from posting it in the first place still doesn’t reflect well on them.
Facebook dropping the mask more and more.
— Grossbeak (@Larry1914) February 17, 2019
Not just a suppression of free speech but a suppression of truth
— Todd McDaniel (@tmacyork) February 17, 2019
If Facebook wants to censor conservative-produced content, that’s their prerogative. But they should at the very least be upfront about it instead of hiding behind a mask of openness.
I have just deactivated my Facebook account.
— Rod Dreher (@roddreher) February 17, 2019
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