National and Ohio Faith Leaders Condemn Meta Policies that Allow Disinformation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT
Austin Schuler, aschuler@faithinpubliclife.org |
National and Ohio Faith Leaders Condemn Meta Policies that Allow Disinformation
Disinformation on Meta Has Dangerous Consequences on Our Democracy and Health
Washington, D.C.–Today, Faith in Public Life is joining a national effort to mobilize and rally support for corporate governance reforms at Meta in advance of the company’s annual general meeting next week. The #MakeMarkListen campaign is organizing a collection of activists and advocacy organizations to demand oversight and accountability at Meta on behalf of the general public and shareholders who have been victims of countless harms thanks to Mark Zuckerberg’s record of mismanagement.
Rev. Jennifer Butler, CEO, Faith in Public Life:
“As people of faith, we value truth and accountability. Disinformation on social media platforms owned by Meta leaves our communities vulnerable to nefarious actors, erodes democratic norms and enables political violence like the insurrection on January 6th. Disinformation is a threat to our democracy, and it flourishes on Meta platforms because of the policies that Mark Zuckerberg and the people he employs put in place. They can make better decisions. Mark, the time has come to repent for the harm Meta has caused our communities and our democracy and turn towards truth, accountability and oversight.”
Rev. Dan Clark, Faith in Public Life, Ohio:
“As a person of faith, I believe that truth liberates us. But so much misinformation and disinformation has been allowed by tech giants that we are now living in times of political violence and the erosion of free and fair democracy. I’ve watched as people in my community believe and then perpetuate dangerous lies. As a result, people have died due to COVID, the January 6th Insurrection and more. Meta must be held accountable for the harms caused by the misinformation and disinformation allowed to spread on its platforms. People of faith and good will must come together to build a multiracial and multi-faith democracy. As Jesus promised us, ‘We shall know the truth, and the truth shall make us free.’”
Rev. David Long-Higgins, Conference Minister, Heartland Conference of the United Church of Christ, Ohio:
“There is an urgent need for Facebook and its parent company to be held accountable for the ways in which it has served as a platform for misinformation and polarization. Allowing misinformation about COVID and denial about best practices for mitigating its effects have had catastrophic consequences for literally thousands of people who have lost their lives. Additionally, Facebook’s proliferation of inflammatory content has put at risk the many health care workers who daily have put their own lives at risk in the service of others. A platform with such power of influence must also bear responsibility for helping to minimize misinformation and the polarization it produces.”
Rev. Dr. Susan Smith, Crazy Faith Ministries, Ohio:
“There is a difference between free speech and permission to lie and misinform. I am sure that if a group of us began a campaign that spread mis or dis-information (lies) about Facebook, or Mark Zuckerberg, arguing that we had a right to do it because of “free speech,” we’d be shut down because those being lied about would use their money to buy silence. My prayer is that the people of this country will find a way to affect the bottom line of Facebook so that Zuckerberg and the others who have been instrumental in allowing information on the platform that has damaged this country and also contributed to a surge in mental health crises for all people, but especially for children and young adults, will have to listen to us. We matter.”
Rev. Lesley Jones, President, Interdenominational Ministers Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, Ohio:
“Youth are our future. When they are manipulated and damaged mentally and emotionally by Meta’s products, the future of our society is in jeopardy. Meta led by Mark Zuckerberg must be held accountable for the increasing drug and alcohol use, self-injury, disordered eating, depression, and even suicide among one of the world’s most vulnerable groups. To protect the welfare and well-being of our youth is to act responsibly and ethically.”
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Faith in Public Life is a national movement of clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice, equality and the common good. Together, with a network of over 50,000 leaders, they are leading the fight to advance just policies at the state and federal level that affirm our values and the human dignity of all.