MSNBC Morning Joe: ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt on Stop Hate for Profit

Summary

In a compelling discussion, Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, addresses the significant boycott of Facebook by over 300 advertisers due to the platform's failure to combat hate speech and misinformation. He highlights the need for urgent changes, including removing extremist content and improving user support. The boycott, part of the 'Stop Hate for Profit' campaign, has gained momentum with major brands joining in, reflecting widespread frustration over Facebook's practices. Greenblatt emphasizes that accountability and reforms are essential for maintaining a safe online environment, especially leading up to critical electoral events.

Takeaways

• 😀 The ad boycott against Facebook has gained significant momentum, with over 300 advertisers participating as part of the Stop Hate for Profit campaign.
• 💰 Major brands like Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and Levi's are among those joining the boycott, highlighting widespread concern over hate speech on the platform.
• 📉 The boycott has resulted in Facebook's stock value dropping significantly, losing over $56 billion in market valuation.
• 🔍 Jonathan Greenblatt of the Anti-Defamation League emphasizes that Facebook has failed to keep its users safe from harmful content for years.
• 🚫 Specific demands from the ADL include removing hate speech, Holocaust denial, and conspiracy theory content from Facebook.
• 📞 There has been an influx of calls from businesses and advertising agencies expressing frustration over Facebook's handling of hate content.
• 🛡️ Greenblatt calls for Facebook to provide support to users who experience harassment, reflecting standards expected from responsible businesses.
• 🗳️ The campaign also seeks to eliminate the political exemption that allows harmful rhetoric from politicians on the platform.
• 📊 Independent audits of Facebook's practices are requested to ensure accountability and transparency in managing harmful content.
• 🌍 The growing pressure on Facebook signifies a shift where advertisers are leveraging their influence to demand safer online environments.

Q & A

What is the primary reason for the Facebook ad boycott discussed in the transcript?

The primary reason for the boycott is Facebook's failure to adequately address hate speech and extremist content on its platform, which has led to a coalition of over 300 advertisers participating in the Stop Hate for Profit campaign.

Who is Jonathan Greenblatt and what role does he play in the conversation?

Jonathan Greenblatt is the CEO and national director of the Anti-Defamation League. He is a leading partner in the Facebook boycott campaign and discusses the need for accountability and changes at Facebook regarding hate speech.

What kind of companies are participating in the boycott?

The boycott includes a mix of small to medium-sized businesses and major brands like Levi's, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and global companies like Diageo, VW, and Unilever.

What specific changes does Greenblatt propose for Facebook?

Greenblatt proposes that Facebook should remove hate speech, provide refunds to advertisers if their ads appear alongside harmful content, eliminate the political exemption for violent rhetoric, and conduct independent audits with published results.

What impact has the ad boycott had on Facebook's financials?

As a result of the boycott, Facebook's stock plummeted by over 8%, which equated to a loss of approximately $56 billion in market valuation, indicating significant financial pressure from the boycott.

How does Greenblatt characterize Facebook's responsibility towards its users?

Greenblatt states that Facebook should provide services and support for users who experience harassment, as it is the platform where online harassment occurs most frequently.

What examples of harmful content did Greenblatt mention regarding Facebook's platform?

He mentioned content related to Boogaloo groups, Holocaust denial, racist and white supremacist material, and conspiracy theories that have proliferated on the platform without adequate action from Facebook.

What does Greenblatt suggest is a common sense approach for Facebook moving forward?

He suggests that removing hate speech and extremist content is a straightforward task that should be prioritized by Facebook, emphasizing that there is no business case for allowing bigotry on their platform.

How has the public's perception of Facebook changed according to the discussion?

The public's perception of Facebook has shifted to a critical view due to its inadequate response to hate speech and the involvement of major companies in the boycott, signaling a demand for change.

What broader societal implications does Greenblatt connect to Facebook's handling of hate speech?

Greenblatt connects Facebook's handling of hate speech to larger issues like the undermining of American democracy, particularly during elections, and the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories that can have real-world consequences.