27 Aug 2019 Conservatives Condemn Facebook Report Clearing Itself of Censorship Concerns

Free Enterprise Project Director Justin Danhof, Esq. is among the dozens of conservative leaders condemning an audit of Facebook policies that the social media giant will now use to absolve itself of accusations that it censors conservative content.

The report, overseen by former U.S. Senator Jon Kyl, was produced by the Covington & Burling law firm. The National Center was among the 130 organizations reportedly interviewed in the process of compiling the report. While the National Center and others offered examples of ongoing anti-conservative bias, the Kyl report suggests the company is making progress and is improving in areas such as distribution algorithms, ad policies and content enforcement.

But the statement signed by Justin says the report “completely fails to address the many concerns and specific examples of bias raised by the conservative movement” and “shockingly left us with a hollow report devoid of substantive policy proposals.” It also states that “[t]his is purely another superficial attempt by Facebook to placate conservatives with empty promises.”

The full statement reads:

Former Sen. Jon Kyl’s audit investigating Facebook’s anti-conservative bias is not only disappointing, it completely fails to address the many concerns and specific examples of bias raised by the conservative movement. Kyl spent more than a year hearing the concerns of reportedly 130 conservative groups, and in turn, shockingly left us with a hollow report devoid of substantive policy proposals. This audit is exactly the opposite of what conservatives were hoping for.

Facebook has listened to the conservative movement’s complaints and in response has invited us to pound sand. It’s insulting but unsurprising. Unfortunately, this is how Facebook routinely responds to criticism.

No conservative leader or organization should accept this as a legitimate response to the undeniable issues we have raised. This is purely another superficial attempt by Facebook to placate conservatives with empty promises.

Along with Justin, the statement is signed by prominent conservative leaders including Media Research Center President L. Brent Bozell, Intercollegiate Studies Institute President Charlie Copeland, American Family Association President Tim Wildmon, American Spectator Editor-in-Chief R. Emmett Tyrell, Jr. and Tea Party Patriots Action Honorary Chairman Jenny Beth Martin.