Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to meet Wednesday with conservative media figures, as well as an adviser to presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump, to discuss allegations that the social network suppressed conservative news, CNN Money reported.
Zuckerberg arranged to meet with at least 12 well-known conservative media leaders including Glenn Beck, Fox News’ Dana Perino and CNN’s S.E. Cupp, according to CNN Money. Senior Trump adviser Barry Bennett is also expected to attend, according to CNN’s Brian Stelter.
In a post on his Facebook page, Beck explained his reasoning for attending the meeting, noting that he was reported to be one of the conservative media figures whose voice was kept out of Facebook’s “trending news” section. He also said he hoped former Hewlitt Packard CEO and failed 2016 Republican presidentia candidate Carly Fiorina would join the meeting.
“The question that needs to be answered Wednesday is: Will Mark see this as an opportunity to free all points of view but at the same time unify America and the world,” Beck wrote.
Cupp echoed Beck’s sentiments and said she had plenty of questions for the social media giant.
“I’m going in with an open mind and an eagerness to learn more,” Cupp told CNN Money. “Conservatives and Silicon Valley actually come down on the same side of many issues and share some common concerns. I’m sure we’ll find plenty to talk about, and I’m honored to have been included.”
The meeting is Facebook’s latest damage control move after a Gizmodo report highlighted a former Facebook news curator who alleged his colleagues suppressed conservative news from the “trending news” module. Since then, the company has received an inquiry from a Republican senator and had to clarify its process for curating “trending news.”
This whole kerfuffle continues to puzzle me. Facebook is a private company. It can do whatever it likes. It could decide that only stories about Zuckerberg were “trending,” if it felt like it. If “conservative pundits” want their viewpoints put front and center on everyone’s feed, all they have to do is purchase Facebook. Are they seriously proposing that Facebook be regulated like a utility?
Fun Fact: Unlike Drumpf, Zuckerberg is actually a billionaire.
Even though he made his money by stealing someone else’s idea.
Isn’t this the free market at work? Amazing how conservatives want the free market until they can’t define free market, innit?
No, they’ll spend the whole time kissing his ass because he’s wealthy.
“Behind every great fortune is a great crime.”