With the US presidential election looming, Facebook is considering banning all forms of political advertising. This information was given by Bloomberg News quoting a concerned official.
However, the issue is still under discussion, the report said. The Facebook spokespersons declined to comment o this issue. Discussions on potentially banning political ads have simmered since late last year, they stated, as insiders weighed the idea while reaching out to political groups and applicants for feedback.
Facebook’s various policies have been criticized for some time. In particular, many objects to political advertising without verification. Last year, rival Twitter banned political ads, but Facebook did not change its position.
If a ban on political advertisements were to happen, it would be a reversal for Facebook and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. The social network has continued enabled politicians and political parties to run ads and political campaign across its network virtually unchecked, even if those ads contained falsehoods or other misinformation.
Mr. Zuckerberg has repeatedly stated he would not police politicians’ advertisements and declared that the company was not an arbiter of truth because he believes in free speech. He has also said that removing political ads from the network could harm smaller, down-ballot candidates who are less well-funded than nationally prominent politicians. Political advertising makes up a negligible
