Is Facebook Plotting the Downfall of the Political Right?
I read recently, somewhere on Facebook ironically enough, that Mark Zuckerberg was going to be asked by some sort of inquiry ‘why Facebook was censoring the political right but not the political left?’
Now I have absolutely no idea whether this was ‘fake news,’ although I have to say, Facebook’s so-called ‘community standards’ do seem to favor certain views over others at times, but political bias? Really?
Certainly, nobody with any sense would argue that ‘hate speech’ or ‘incitement to violence’ should be permitted, yet what qualifies as ‘hate speech’ on Facebook has seemed, over the last year or so, remarkably random.
‘Incitement to violence’ is easy. Somebody posts a violent threat against an individual or group and there you go. It is anything but rocket science.
‘Hate speech’, on the other hand, is far more subjective.
My own personal experience came via a three day Facebook ban for writing ‘Yesssss!’ in a comment. If memory serves, I might have put a laughing emoji too – I can’t recall but wouldn’t be surprised if I did.
It was somebody else’s post. Actually, I think it was a group post rather than an individual. A picture of an overfull channel crossing dinghy on its way from France to Britain with illegal migrants. Alongside a picture of a hand with a pin and the question ‘Would you?’.
Facebook ‘community standards’ decided my ‘Yesssss!’, with or without a laughing emoji – I’m fairly certain without actually – went against their standards. My admittedly rather dark sense of humor displayed there was clearly not acceptable to them.
Fair enough. It’s a free service. I don’t pay Facebook. Nobody pays Facebook to use it. Your account is free so, you can’t really complain about the Facebook rules. Well, you can but it won’t get you anywhere. You aren’t paying them so why should they care?
Personally, I have yet to be convinced that Facebook is biased against the political right, or in favor of the political left. At the very least, I am far from convinced there is intent or malice aforethought to be so.
I am aware of a number of ‘right-wing groups’ in Britain that have been shut down by Facebook, but, to be honest, I wasn’t in the least surprised.
You see there are extremely unpleasant people on both the political right and left. Not being a member of any left-wing groups – well, actually, that’s not true. I am. I discreetly monitor some with a reputation for trying to ‘invade’ right-wing sites with a view to causing mayhem and getting them closed down.
My reason for this is because I have been invited to ‘Admin’ a number of groups having problems with ‘left-wing trolls’. I’ve found discreetly joining particularly malevolent left-wing sites is a good way to recognize names trying to get into rival sites.
Fortunately, their ‘Admin’ doesn’t seem particularly quick on the uptake and I generally join successfully. Probably as I use a ‘fake FB account’ to do so.
Possibly interestingly, I have found myself actually reporting ‘far-right trolls’ to a couple of ‘left-wing’ sites I have ‘infiltrated’. I believe in ‘playing fair’. Also, I believe I am rather ‘old school’. My circle of friends is ‘right-wing’, ‘left-wing’, somewhat centrist and, indeed, completely apolitical.
Politics, for me, is always secondary to friendship.
I support the right of the sites, left and right, to exist and express their views. Remembering, of course, that there is a big difference between ‘right’ and ‘far-right’ or, indeed, ‘left’ and ‘far-left’.
The ‘far-right trolls’ were out to cause trouble. Where does this hatred come from? It’s a mystery to me.
I’m a member of Facebook’s left-wing site, ‘The Far Write’. So-called as it specializes in poking fun at the bad grammar often found on ‘right-wing sites’. It is, frankly, hilarious. One of their Admins knows about my presence but I get along fine with her and she knows I’m not ‘lurking with intent’ to cause them any problems.
Besides, if something is funny it’s funny!
Anyway. Back to Facebook.
One site I ‘Admin’ is a public site. You don’t have to join. Anybody can read it and comment. (It’s called Patriots UK United. There are over 67,000 followers at the moment).
Yes, it is politically to the right, but I ensure politeness, respect and genuine debate/discussion prevails. Any ‘hatred’ in the comments is removed and the people blocked instantly. It matters not where they stand politically.
I’ve even invited members of left-wing sites to come along and debate/discuss on the site.
What is the point of a site being an ‘echo chamber’? How can anyone even begin to comprehend why anyone else holds a particular view if you don’t ask them, and talk to them?
The clear hatred between many Trump and Biden supporters I see on Facebook saddens me. I have FB friends in both camps. Two Biden supporters discovered I had Trump-supporting friends and blocked me. A Trump-supporting friend did likewise as I had Biden supporting friends.
What? I’m a Brit! I neither support nor could I vote, for either anyway! Anyway, I rarely post anything political on my own FB page so WTF?
One of my best friends in the world is an ardent ‘leftie’ who thought Jeremy Corbyn was marvelous. He still does actually. He knows I’m a fan of Nigel Farage but so what? That’s politics. Friendship overcomes everything. Well, it does if they’re worth having as friends anyway.
So. Is Facebook biased towards the political left and against the political right?
It’s possible of course, but, personally, I can’t see it. Perhaps they’ve been a little harsher towards one than the other? Perhaps.
No. On the whole, I don’t believe they are.
The right-wing sites in Britain they have banned were, frankly, overflowing with hatred and bile. Threats of what some would like to do to certain ethnic groups and, indeed, the political left, were appalling. Quite frightening to be honest. Truth be told, if they had been ‘infiltrated’ at all, it wasn’t by the ‘left’, it was by the ‘far-right’.
I found one or two of these people lurking on Patriots UK United. They hadn’t said anything untoward but they were blocked anyway.
Facebook is not, in my view, at least intentionally biased against the right. If they have a bias, it’s a bias against far-right lunatics and psychos and let’s face it, if you aren’t biased against them, you really need to take a long hard look at yourself.
Also, albeit there may well be some somewhere, I can’t say I’ve come across any lunatics and psychos on Facebook with ‘left-wing’ credentials.
After all, Patriots UK United has never come under threat from Facebook. Why? Probably because it’s a civilized site that insists on respect and politeness and will not tolerate anything else. You can disagree with posts or views expressed, but you will be polite in so doing and, responses to you will be polite and respectful. Otherwise, you’re gone, and/or they’re gone.
Oddly enough, I’ve been verbally attacked on ‘right-wing’ sites simply for supporting the environment, animal rights, and welfare and supporting the re-nationalization of our railways and utilities.
I’ve actually been labeled a ‘Commie bastard’, ‘an idiot Libtard’, and a number of other things for expressing such views.
Weird when I Admin some right-wing sites isn’t it?
Strange place Facebook. Mind you, social media in general can be a strange place thinking about it.
No. Facebook isn’t biased. At least with intent anyway. Those who post on these right and left-wing sites? Now you’re talking bias.
They love their ‘echo chambers’ of members giving them the ‘thumbs up’ emoji. They love knowing they’re right because every member on there shares their views without question.
It isn’t Facebook that’s biased. It’s the users. Biased and frequently blind to any other view but their own.
Next step? Extremism. You can see it’s already there, and it’s growing apace.
Worrying times indeed.
Facebook is welcome to be, and indeed must be, biased against political extremism. Now that’s a bias all sane people would support.
Jess? Really? No political position is perfect. Few would miss the far right or far left, but right and left of center has to continue…. Unless you want to disenfranchise millions?
Sounds a bit like Communism… Or even fascism… You surprise me!
We can but hope this is true.
Incidentally Holte… Vile and obnoxious? Facebook wouldn’t allow ‘vile and obnoxious’, hence they rightly banned far right groups.
If you believe Patriots UK United is in any way ‘far’ right, you are much mistaken.
Right of center mate. Right of center 😁
Holte – You’re welcome there anytime 😉…. I post most posts but, as it happens, I didn’t post any anti Biden ones… That was the other Admin. Again, as it happens, I don’t agree with her posts but, what the hell? Freedom of speech and expression eh?
White supremacists? Block em if any pop up.
I just checked “Patriots UK United” out. Nothing patriotic about it. Lots of British flags does not a patriot make. Very nationalistic, patriotism’s crazy uncle.
One post said, and I’m paraphrasing, “Democrats cheat their way into the White House” and “Britain getting ready to fight Joe Biden’s war”.
Another disappointing thing I saw was that my niece is a member. Not really surprised though, she gets it from her white supremacist dad.
A truly vile, obnoxious Facebook page.