Target: Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook Inc.
Goal: Enforce truth in advertising and transparency for politically based advertisements.
The husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was reportedly violently attacked with a hammer in the couple’s residence. The suspect allegedly wanted to go after Speaker Pelosi, who was not home at the time. Even though the apparent assault may have been a result of political extremism, at least one high-profile politician—Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin—seemed to make light of the events and use them as political fuel. A few weeks before this incident, an alleged assassination plot against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was revealed. Once again, the motive is believed to be political in nature.
Despite the increasingly threatening atmosphere of today’s politics, attack ads are still a frequent sight during election season. And makers of these ads, no matter their platform, have no obligation to abide by truth in advertising laws that prohibit false claims and outright lies. Social media outlets have even less restrictions because they are not even obliged to disclose the organization responsible for the ad or even that the information presented is a political advertisement. In this way, thinly veiled ads often get passed along as if they were confirmed facts. This advertising Wild West then inevitably leads to heightened emotions and the apparent potential for violence.
Congress, predictably, has failed to enact proposed laws like the Honest Ads Act that would require at least some transparency and accountability from social media ads. The two major drivers of online political advertisements, Google and Facebook, have set their own guidelines. While Google has a stated policy against false claims in politically based ads, Facebook has not taken a similar approach.
Sign the petition below to urge this major influencer to protect consumers and perhaps save lives.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Zuckerberg.
Political violence is rising at an alarming rate, and you would likely admit—even if not publicly—that social media has seemingly played its part. While political ad makers have the advantage of not being beholden to truth in advertising, your competitors have recognized that their consumers deserve these standards. Please follow their lead.
In addition, do what the politicians will not and mandate transparency from the entities that post political advertisements on Facebook. Help lower the dangerously high temperature by putting consumer interests and safety first.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Tyler Merbler
