Facebook on Tuesday removed a page for inciting violence against Republicans after Rep. Matt Gaetz brought it up in a hearing.
Gaetz said his office previously brought the page to Facebook's attention and the social media giant dismissed concerns.
During the hearing, the Florida Republican highlighted content posted on a page titled "Milkshakes against the Republican Party" that called for "Crazed shooters" to target the GOP's congressional baseball team and attack the NRA. Gaetz noted the social media platform previously said the page didn't meet its criteria for removal when his office contacted them about the posts.
"I am glad Facebook swiftly removed this offensive page; while I unconditionally support the First Amendment, inciting violence against others due to their political affiliation is not Constitutionally-protected speech," Gaetz said in a statement.
"While removing this page was a small step forward to making Facebook a safer place, bigger questions remain."
Republicans argue that Facebook is biased against conservative content.
"This distinction is not merely academic, as they are governed by different laws and different rules. If Facebook claims to be a neutral forum, it cannot continue to limit conservative content; if Facebook claims to be a publisher, it will lose its legal 'immunity' under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act," he continued.
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/397527-facebook-removes-page-inciting-violence-against-republicans-after-lawmakers
Gaetz said his office previously brought the page to Facebook's attention and the social media giant dismissed concerns.
During the hearing, the Florida Republican highlighted content posted on a page titled "Milkshakes against the Republican Party" that called for "Crazed shooters" to target the GOP's congressional baseball team and attack the NRA. Gaetz noted the social media platform previously said the page didn't meet its criteria for removal when his office contacted them about the posts.
"I am glad Facebook swiftly removed this offensive page; while I unconditionally support the First Amendment, inciting violence against others due to their political affiliation is not Constitutionally-protected speech," Gaetz said in a statement.
"While removing this page was a small step forward to making Facebook a safer place, bigger questions remain."
Republicans argue that Facebook is biased against conservative content.
"This distinction is not merely academic, as they are governed by different laws and different rules. If Facebook claims to be a neutral forum, it cannot continue to limit conservative content; if Facebook claims to be a publisher, it will lose its legal 'immunity' under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act," he continued.
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/397527-facebook-removes-page-inciting-violence-against-republicans-after-lawmakers
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