SooToday received the following letter to the editor from reader Angelina Retta in response to the new changes to Meta's content moderation policies.
As a woman and a member of the LGBT+ community, I am appalled by the new changes to Meta's content moderation policies. On Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, it is now acceptable to:
- Refer to women as household objects.
- Refer to gay and trans individuals as mentally ill.
- Gender-based limitations on military, law enforcement and teaching jobs.
I urge the City of Sault Ste Marie and its affiliate organizations to follow diversity and inclusion policies, public statements, and support given during June's Pride month, to follow through with those commitments and cease using Meta platforms.
Whether as individual or as an organization looking to reach customers, continuing to post to Facebook is to refuse to acknowledge the real-world consequences of the Hateful Content policy changes.
I will end this letter with a quote:
“Without these necessary hate speech and other policies, Meta is giving the green light for people to target LGBTQ people, women, immigrants, and other marginalized groups with violence, vitriol, and dehumanizing narratives. With these changes, Meta is continuing to normalize anti-LGBTQ hatred for profit — at the expense of its users and true freedom of expression. Fact-checking and hate speech policies protect free speech.” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis in a statement responding to the changes.
Take a stand. Delete your Facebook and Instagram.