The “Facebook Files” recently made public have shed light on how White House officials exerted pressure on the social media giant for special access to tools to target vaccine-hesitant users. They also criticized Facebook employees for not sharing enough data, contradicting White House claims during that time.
At Gab we stand firm in our commitment to freedom of speech and will never bow down to any administration’s demands for censorship, be it the Biden Administration or any other. Our resolve remains unwavering, as we regularly reject censorship requests from governments. We have a long history of very publicly turning down censorship demands from the UK, Germany, France, and many others.
Unlike Facebook we believe in allowing the free flow of information, regardless of whether it aligns with popular narratives or not. It is disheartening to witness Facebook taking steps to suppress not just false information but also mere opinions about vaccines. Internal documents reveal Facebook’s deliberate efforts to create a “vaccine negative environment” by demoting posts discussing negative side effects or questioning vaccine mandates, even though these discussions are not based on false information.
When the pandemic hit, conventional social media platforms faced a daunting task: curating vast amounts of pandemic-related content while attempting to control the spread of information. This often led to concerns about the suppression of genuine debates and the Facebook Files reveal that this overreach was absolutely happening on other platforms. In stark contrast, Gab remained true to its principles of free speech, providing a welcoming space for users to engage in open conversations about vaccines, COVID origins, and lockdown measures.
Gab’s refusal to censor discussions surrounding the pandemic allowed a myriad of perspectives to flourish. Users felt empowered to share their thoughts, concerns, and even dissenting opinions without fear of being silenced. As a result, Gab became a platform where experts, skeptics, and ordinary people could engage in constructive dialogues and learn from one another.
Amid the chaos of conflicting narratives and rapidly evolving information, Gab acted as a beacon for critical thinking. By encouraging uncensored discussions, users had the opportunity to analyze various viewpoints and make informed decisions. The free exchange of ideas on Gab facilitated the growth of a well-informed community that could better navigate the complexities of the pandemic.
It’s quite astonishing to learn that even memes were a point of contention for the Biden White House. This shows a worrying trend towards stifling creativity and the sharing of ideas. According to Facebook, posts expressing concerns about the Biden administration’s Covid vaccine mandates and criticizing government overreach were subjected to reductions because they were perceived to contribute to a “vaccine negative environment.”
In an email, Nick Clegg, Facebook’s then-VP of Global Affairs, shared his conversation with Andy Slavitt, President Biden’s White House senior adviser for the COVID response. Slavitt was visibly outraged that Facebook had not removed a meme about vaccine side effects. The meme used Leonardo DiCaprio’s iconic pointing image with text suggesting potential future class-action lawsuits related to the COVID vaccine. Slavitt argued that the post drew a direct comparison between COVID vaccines and asbestos poisoning, which allegedly undermined confidence in the vaccines among the Biden administration’s target audience.
At Gab, we embrace diversity of thought and allow users to express themselves freely, even if their opinions might differ from those in power. We firmly believe that open dialogue, not censorship, is the path to progress and understanding.
Gab’s commitment to free speech extended beyond just pandemic-related discussions. By remaining transparent about its content policies and rejecting censorship requests from various entities, Gab earned the trust of its users. This trust formed the foundation of a strong and loyal community, united by the belief that open dialogue is paramount in times of uncertainty.
If you value the freedom to speak without fear of suppression, Gab welcomes you with open arms. Together, we will safeguard the principles of free speech and defend our right to share true information and honest opinions without interference. Join us in building a platform that truly values liberty and open discourse.
Andrew Torba
CEO, Gab.com
Jesus Christ is King of kings
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