Quick Hit:

Facebook, the social media giant, has been implicated in interfering with U.S. elections 39 times since 2008, according to research by MRC Free Speech America. Despite CEO Mark Zuckerberg's proclamations of supporting free speech, the platform's actions have often contradicted this stance, with instances of election-interfering censorship beginning in 2012 and peaking in 2020.

Key Details:

• Facebook has been involved in election interference efforts 39 times since 2008, according to MRC Free Speech America researchers.
• The platform's record of election-interfering censorship began in 2012, peaked in 2020, and has started to decline in the early stages of the 2024 electoral cycle.
• Despite these actions, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly made pro-free speech comments, even calling politically-motivated censorship "dangerous."

Diving Deeper:

Facebook's relationship with free speech has been a complex one. The platform has been caught in the crosshairs of election interference multiple times, despite Zuckerberg's repeated affirmations of the company's commitment to free speech. In a 2019 speech at Georgetown University, Zuckerberg stated, "We can either continue to stand for free expression understanding its messiness but believing that the long journey towards greater progress requires confronting ideas that challenge us. Or we can decide that the cost is simply too great."

However, Facebook's actions have often contradicted these words. From 2012 through 2024, the platform has swung between a hands-off approach to free speech online and repeated election interference through policy changes and outright censorship of political candidates and ideas. This has raised questions about the platform's role in shaping political discourse and its responsibility in ensuring fair and free elections.

The findings by MRC Free Speech America highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability from social media platforms. As these platforms continue to play a significant role in shaping public opinion and political discourse, it is crucial that they uphold the principles of free speech and refrain from interfering in electoral processes.

“Mark Zuckerberg TechCrunch 2012” by C Flanigan/WireImage is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED.