Baby Pics ‘Too Strong for Facebook’: Social Media Giant Targets Pro-Lifers in New Ad Rules

Facebook says its latest rules for advertising what it calls “political” content will promote transparency, but after a month of operation they are effectively handicapping many publishers, including LifeSiteNews.

Last month, the social media giant began requiring publishers to submit identification and mailing addresses in order to run advertisements (promotions to lists) of a “political” nature in the United States. Among the initial list of subjects deemed by Facebook to be “political” and, which will expand over time, are “abortion,” “civil rights,” “health,” and “values.” Facebook says the change is meant to prevent foreign actors from interfering in American elections. . .

Facebook has already come under fire for blocking ads by LifeSiteNews and other pro-lifers, as well as other forms of discrimination against pro-life, Christian, and conservative voices. In recent months Facebook has delayed the average wait time to approve LifeSiteNews ads from 12 hours to 72, and doubled the cost per donation received from ads deemed “political” from an average of $5.95 to $12 per donation click. Even as little as a year ago, approval for ads (promotions of particular articles) usually took minutes to an hour or two. “Now,” says LifeSite President Steve Jalsevac, “Facebook has made everything ‘political’ whereas we are an entirely issues-focused news service rather than a political one.” . . .

The photos in question do not depict political figures, imagery, or events; nor do they contain violent abortion imagery. They are photos of ultrasounds, pregnant mothers’ bellies, images of preborn babies, and even a simple photo of a mother holding an infant’s feet. . .

When pushed for additional information, Facebook suggested that LifeSiteNews “consider using different images.” If our ads continue to be rejected, it “may be that the topic of choice for your Ads is what is being disapproved.” (Read more from “Baby Pics ‘Too Strong for Facebook’: Social Media Giant Targets Pro-Lifers in New Ad Rules” HERE)

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