Controversial creators are benefiting from monetization programs run by Meta (abc.net.au)

Article summary

An investigation by ABC NEWS Verify found that Facebook's parent company, Meta, is paying several controversial content creators, including a white nationalist with neo-Nazi links and a prominent anti-vaxxer, through its content monetization program. These creators' content appears to violate Facebook's own policies around content monetization. Meta stated that it has clear policies in place and that it is not the company's role to police offensiveness. The investigation raises questions about the company's responsibility to regulate the content it monetizes.

Main themes

• Social media monetization
• Hate speech and extremism
• Content regulation
• Facebook's responsibility
• Online propaganda

What commenters say

• Facebook's algorithm prioritizes engagement over all else, leading to the promotion of rage-bait content and the monetization of controversial creators.
• The company's decision to remove fact-checking teams during the COVID-19 pandemic prioritized engagement over accuracy and contributed to the spread of misinformation.
• Some argue that social media platforms have a responsibility to regulate and remove harmful content, while others believe that this constitutes censorship and a violation of free speech.
• The issue of social media companies paying creators who produce controversial content is not new and has been a problem for years, with some arguing that it creates a feedback loop of increasingly provocative content.
• There is a distinction between Meta directly commissioning or sponsoring rage-bait content and creators earning money through Facebook's content monetization program, but some argue that the effect is the same.
• The problem of social media companies promoting and monetizing controversial content is not unique to Facebook and is a broader issue that requires a more nuanced approach to content regulation.
• Some believe that the removal of fact-checking teams and the prioritization of engagement have contributed to a decline in the quality of content on social media platforms.
• The role of social media companies in regulating content and promoting social cohesion is complex and multifaceted, and requires a balanced approach that considers both free speech and the potential harm caused by certain types of content.