NYT: Facebook Reverses ‘Secret’ Algorithm to Suppress ‘Misinformation’

December 17th, 2020 11:43 AM

It’s a Christmas miracle. In a stunning turn of events, Facebook has actually lifted one of its methods of censorship that it used during and after the election. Now that the left is sure it won.

The social media platform is reportedly no longer manipulating its algorithm to prioritize “mainstream news publishers” like liberal outlets CNN, The New York Times and NPR, according to The Times

“Facebook confirmed that it has in the past few days rolled back a change that lifted news from authoritative outlets over hyperpartisan sources after November’s election, signaling a return to normalcy for the social network,” The Times reported.

While it promoted “mainstream news publishers,” other websites, like “Breitbart and Occupy Democrats saw their numbers fall,” according to The Times

During the election cycle, Facebook modified its algorithm to suppress what it decided was “misinformation.” What it actually did was censor speech. The platform used a “secret internal ranking” after the Nov. 3 election to alter users’ newsfeeds to prioritize content, said The Times in November. 

“‘This was a temporary change we made to help limit the spread of inaccurate claims about the election,’ said Joe Osborne, a Facebook spokesman. ‘We’re still ensuring that people see authoritative and informative news on Facebook, especially during major news cycles and around important global topics like elections, Covid-19 and climate change,’” reported The Times.

Of course, Facebook suppressed free speech at every turn during and after the 2020 election. And it wants us to ignore the fact that the platform just lifted some restrictions on its political ad ban on December 16 in order to allow Georgia Senate runoff candidates to advertise, but only to Georgia voters. And don’t forget that Facebook’s Vice President of Integrity, Guy Rosen, bragged about the fact that Facebook removed 180 million election posts in a Nov. 19 call with reporters. During this election cycle, Facebook constantly added new rules for election posts, and censored hashtags like #sharpiegate and #stopthesteal.  
 

Conservatives are under attack. Contact Facebook headquarters at 1-650-308-7300 and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on “hate speech” and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us at the Media Research Center contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.