A television advertisement attacking Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg will air during the vice presidential debate, which is set on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The TV ad criticizes Facebook because of how it handles misinformation and hate on its platform, and the group behind it is called Accountable Tech, CNN Business reported.
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks during a panel talk at the 2020 Munich Security Conference (MSC) on February 15, 2020 in Munich, Germany. The annual conference brings together global political, security and business leaders to discuss pressing issues, which this year include climate change, the US commitment to NATO and the spread of disinformation campaigns.
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Accountable Tech, an organization that advocates social media companies to strengthen the integrity of their platforms and democracy. In the video, Zuckerberg appears to speaking to Congress and telling them that his social media platform has a responsibility to be a "positive force" in the world.
He also added that as a founder, he has "ultimate responsibility" for Facebook. After the CEO's speech, the ad then shows media headlines about Facebook's recent failures, including the page of a militia in Kenosha, Wisconsin, that was not removed.
The video also includes headlines about Facebook's struggle in handling QAnon, a conspiracy theory that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) labeled as a potential domestic terrorist threat.
"Our democracy is on the line. Hold Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg accountable," the message at the end of the video reads.
Accountable Tech buys six-figure ad-buy
Jesse Lehrich, Accountable Tech's other co-founder, said that the organization a six-figure ad-buy to air the advertisement during Fox News' morning show "Fox and Friends" on streaming services as during CNN's debate coverage on cable.
In this photo illustration, social media apps are seen on a mobile phone on July 29, 2020 in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkey's parliament passed a new law Wednesday, to regulate social media content. The law will require foreign social media companies to have an appointed Turkish-based representative to deal with any concerns authorities have over content.
"This VP debate will draw the nation's attention to the precarious state of our democracy, from the erosion of truth to the extreme tribalism," said Nicole Gill, the organization's executive director, and co-founder.
She added that Zuckerberg and his social media platform need to be held accountable.
Accountable Tech didn't provide the names of its funders. CNN Business also stated that since it is a 501(c)(4) group, it is not required to make that information public.
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Written by: Giuliano de Leon.
