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Facebook isn't just giving these agitators a platform: it's paying them

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • An investigation reveals Facebook is paying some controversial Australian content creators.
  • Among those reportedly receiving funds are a white nationalist and an anti-vaxxer influencer.
  • This contradicts the idea that the platform merely provides a platform, as it is actively funding certain creators.

Facebook is not merely providing a platform for controversial figures; it is actively funding some of them, an ABC News Verify investigation has revealed. The social media giant is directly paying certain Australian content creators, including individuals with extremist views and those who spread misinformation.

The investigation identified a white nationalist and an anti-vaxxer influencer among the creators receiving payments from Facebook. This finding challenges the narrative that the platform is a neutral conduit for information and speech. Instead, it suggests a more active role in supporting specific types of content, even when that content is widely considered harmful or divisive.

This direct financial support raises significant questions about Facebook's content moderation policies and its commitment to combating hate speech and misinformation. By funding these creators, the company appears to be amplifying voices that promote harmful ideologies and false narratives, despite public commitments to do otherwise. The revelations put further pressure on Facebook to re-evaluate its funding practices and their impact on public discourse.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.