The Media Research Center (MRC) alleges that Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta attempted to court a well-known conservative watchdog group just before its significant antitrust trial with the FTC, which aims to reverse the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
Multiple sources indicate that Meta officials reached out to MRC executive Schneider in early April, coinciding with the upcoming trial dates. During this communication, they discussed the trial and mentioned their recent changes to the fact-checking unit, which had faced criticism for censoring conservative voices.
Schneider subsequently described this contact as an effort to “fine-tune” relations, acknowledging the call took place and suggesting new Meta policies designed to appeal to conservatives. He remarked that, given the upcoming trial, the company had desperately hoped for some cover from their critics.
Additionally, Meta indicated that the FTC could yield more significant results by preparing in advance rather than during the trial itself. However, Meta officials declined to comment further.
The MRC has a track record of scrutinizing censorship by Meta, Google, and other tech giants. As Zuckerberg has sought to align with the MAGA movement, the MRC has commended efforts to reduce censorship. Schneider pointed out that while the MRC appreciates Meta’s pro-free speech initiatives, it is essential for the company to rectify economically damaging practices towards media outlets and reinforce its commitment to free expression.
