Democratic officials are upset with Meta’s ad policy for spreading lies about the 2020 election.
Democrats serving as their state’s top election officials have expressed their concerns to Meta, the parent company of Facebook, regarding ads that claim the 2020 presidential election was stolen. In a letter addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, secretaries of state from Colorado, Maine, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Vermont, and Wisconsin voiced their alarm over such ads.
The secretaries highlighted the damaging impact of allowing these ads, emphasizing that it undermines trust in elections and could potentially incite threats of political violence against election workers. This dangerous trend has already caused some election workers to leave their profession, further exacerbating the challenges faced by election processes.
Conspiracy theories and false claims surrounding the 2020 election continue to persist, with former President Donald Trump perpetuating baseless allegations of widespread fraud. Despite numerous reviews, recounts, and audits confirming President Joe Biden’s victory, Trump remains steadfast in his refusal to accept the election results.
Since the contentious 2020 election, election workers nationwide have been subjected to death threats and harassment, leading to a significant turnover within the profession. The hostile environment created by malicious actors has jeopardized the integrity and safety of the electoral process.
To address these concerns, Democratic secretaries of state have urged Meta to reconsider its policy on allowing ads promoting election denialism. The letter, organized by the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State, stresses the importance of upholding truth and transparency in elections to foster public confidence and participation.
In response to these developments, Meta has defended its efforts to safeguard elections globally. The company has outlined its 2022 plan for the midterm elections, which includes stringent measures to combat misinformation, hate speech, violence incitement, and election interference on its platform.
While Meta has pledged to remove election-related content that spreads misinformation or incites violence, the issue remains concerning for Democratic officials. They emphasize the need to counter false narratives and uphold the integrity of the electoral process to ensure informed and empowered voter participation.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows underscored the critical role of accurate information in preserving confidence in elections and promoting voter engagement. The collaborative efforts of election officials and tech companies are essential in combating disinformation and protecting the democratic principles that underpin the electoral system.
