From the “Things you knew but couldn’t prove” files…
If you’re a hunter or shooter who uses social media, then chances are you’ve suspected for a long time that Facebook and Instagram have a campaign of anti-hunting censorship. Yesterday, Safari Club International (SCI) CEO W. Laird Hamberlin sent a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg calling out the social media giant for its deliberate and ongoing censorship of The Hunting Consortium Inc. And this time, there’s proof.
Long-time social-media users have a name for it: “Getting Zucc’d,” in honor of Zuckerberg’s name. That’s when Facebook either suspends your account or hides your posts…sometimes without notifying you that it’s happened, and generally without any recourse. As a private company, Facebook isn’t subject to the First Amendment the way the government is…but that doesn’t mean that the heavy hand of censorship shouldn’t get whacked across the knuckles. Here’s the letter SCI sent:
The Hunting Consortium
This past summer, SCI became aware of a specific incident involving The Hunting Consortium’s social media accounts wherein Facebook had, with no notice or explanation, deleted upwards of 1,000 photos and severely limited the ability of Facebook and Instagram users to interact with and/or share content related to The Hunting Consortium.
SCI, in partnership with The Hunting Consortium, has been attempting to contact Facebook about this issue since July but has yet to be given a response. As a global operation conducting lawful business across many different countries, The Hunting Consortium relies heavily on social media to participate in a competitive industry.
Facebook’s unexplained censorship of this company has not only had and will continue to have a negative impact on The Hunting Consortium’s business, but also poses a threat to hunters worldwide who use social media for personal or business reasons. Simply put, an attack on one hunter by this tech giant is an attack on the lifestyle and traditions we all love as outdoor sportsmen and women.
George says
It would be real interesting if there was a social media out let that was run by hunters and pro 2A minded folks , and then turn the tide on those who would give nasty comments to posts by canceling there accounts but give them a reason so they know that there actions would not be tolerated.
William Whisenant says
This isn’t going to change until enough hunters, fishermen & fisher women, gun owners, and outdoors men & outdoor women get enough guts to get off facebook and persuade enough others to get off facebook, so that it hits them in their pocketbook.
MD Wingo says
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FB is not a media source I use for any purpose as this anti-hunting stance by FB is actually the anti-2A stance of FB Elite Corporate leadership.
So the less FB is used by more & more people the better off all of us are from this vindictive organization.
Guy Blew says
I haven’t posted any hunting photos or videos about my hunts, but I have seen some by others shared them and had Facebook cancel my or end my account, they have done this when I have shared progun pics or videos. Suckenburg should not get away with violating the 1st amendment it applies to all privet company or government.
Hopefully president Trumps new Supreme Court judge will hope4 do something about this grossest of violations with fines and jail time.
Calvin Johnston says
Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 gives the big tech companies an exemption from the first amendment, the same as it does phone companies. This is because the tech companies said they were just a platform to allow communications. Perhaps in 1996 they were. Now they edit, delete, lie, cheat and steal and are closer to publishing companies than communications companies. The law needs to be changed but hasn’t been because big tech give out campaign contributions and campaign assistance to politicians like Niagara Falls passes water.
Paul says
Well I don’t do social media so It’s all lost on me!
Randy K. just tell them you are native american (seems like all the liberals are doing it anyway) and make suckerberg sweat a little heh-heh
Charlie says
To paraphrase Robert Deniro; “F&ck Suckerburg’!
Robert Banks says
You mean Robert D-Bag Deniro?
Jack Rookhuyzen says
Power Corrupts.
Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.
Randy Koster says
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It’s happened to my promotions. The company suggests promoting a popular post only to have it denied for having a “weapon”, which is typically a bow, in the picture.
I appealed and called them out on the last promotion telling them again they suggested it, took 1/3 of my budget, only to have them shutdown a promotion of my product and of what has been a wholesome activity for thousands of years. I won my appeal…this time.