Hollywood's Silence on Facebook Boycott Raises Questions on Hate Speech
As the entertainment industry has a long-standing commitment to combating hate speech, its absence from the #StopHateForProfit boycott on Facebook is puzzling, with only a few small companies and a non-profit joining the campaign to date. The boycott, launched in response to Facebook's handling of hate speech, has seen over 1,000 companies halt their advertising on the platform, with major industries represented. Despite the urgent calls from civil rights groups, the silence from Hollywood, which relies heavily on Facebook for advertising and marketing, is deafening.
Key Takeaways:
- More than 1,000 companies have halted their Facebook advertising over the past month, with most major industries represented.
- The pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Bayer have joined the anti-Facebook campaign, as have Microsoft and Verizon.
- Industries like apparel (Levi Strauss, Eddie Bauer), autos (Ford, Honda), household products (Unilever, Kimberly-Clark), and beverages (Coca-Cola, Starbucks) have also joined the boycott.
- Despite its critical importance to Facebook's advertising revenue, Hollywood remains largely silent on the issue, with only Magnolia Pictures and the nonprofit Sesame Street joining the boycott.
- Netflix, ViacomCBS, Disney, WarnerMedia, Lionsgate, STX, and Sony Pictures Entertainment have declined to comment or did not respond to queries.
- NBCUniversal stated that they are actively engaged in conversations with Facebook to address the use of hate speech and other objectionable content, but are evaluating their next steps.
- The Walt Disney Company was Facebook's No. 1 advertiser from Jan. 1 to June 30, spending an estimated $212 million.
- WarnerMedia, ViacomCBS, and Lionsgate ranked among Facebook's top 15 advertisers during the same period.
- Hollywood's silence on the issue is attributed to their need for Facebook's advertising revenue and network, with one executive noting that movie studios are "allergic to controversy" and move slowly on social issues.
- A few other industries, such as banking, news media, and travel, are also largely absent from the boycott list.
Statistics:
- 1,000+ companies have halted their Facebook advertising over the past month.
- $212 million: The estimated amount spent by The Walt Disney Company on Facebook advertising from Jan. 1 to June 30.
- 15: The number of studios (WarnerMedia, ViacomCBS, Lionsgate) that ranked among Facebook's top advertisers during the same period.
Sources:
- Brooks Barnes and Nicole Sperling, The New York Times
- Anti-Defamation League
- Color of Change