Meta's Retreat From Civil Rights is a Betrayal of Trust and Progress
NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE: META'S RETREAT FROM CIVIL RIGHTS IS A BETRAYAL OF TRUST AND PROGRESS
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 15, 2025) -- National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to Meta’s “More Speech and Fewer Mistakes” announcement and DEIAB rollback:
"Meta’s announcement of its “More Speech and Fewer Mistakes” initiative, combined with its recent rollback of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) commitments, represents a disturbing retreat from its stated values of equity and accountability. These actions signal a betrayal of the trust placed in Meta to protect marginalized communities and champion systemic change.
"As a member of Meta’s civil rights advisory council – an informal convening of leading national organizations - the National Urban League is appalled that these decisions were made without consulting or notifying trusted civil rights partners. By unilaterally weakening its Hateful Conduct Policy—including narrowing definitions of "targeted harassment" and "dehumanizing language"—Meta is prioritizing free speech for the privileged at the expense of safety for the vulnerable. This rollback amplifies the risks of hate speech, harassment, and disinformation that disproportionately harm Black Americans and other marginalized groups.
"Equally troubling is Meta’s abandonment of its DEIAB commitments, which were critical to creating a more inclusive workplace and platform environment. These rollbacks suggest that diversity and equity are no longer priorities for the company, undermining its credibility and progress on racial and social justice.
"The National Urban League cannot continue to participate in performative partnerships that lack genuine accountability. Effective immediately, we are stepping back from Meta’s informal convening. This decision is not taken lightly but reflects the undeniable reality that Meta’s failure to engage with trusted civil rights leaders signals a lack of genuine partnership. Failing to engage civil rights leaders underscores a disturbing pattern of dismissing the lived realities of Black Americans and other marginalized groups who endure the most of harmful content online. By relaxing content moderation policies in the name of “free speech,” Meta is abandoning its responsibility to protect vulnerable users, all while exposing these communities to greater harm.
"In response, we are putting Meta on notice: platitudes about a desire to make “fewer mistakes” or focus on “hiring the best and brightest” mean nothing if they come at the expense of online safety, accountability and having a workforce that reflects to the true talent and diversity of our country. We demand immediate corrective action, including:
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Restore Civil Rights Accountability: Meta must reengage with civil rights leaders and recommit to its DEIAB principles to address the disproportionate harm faced by Black and marginalized communities online in the workplace. s. Failing to do so signals an unwillingness to truly collaborate with stakeholders committed to equity and justice.
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Commit to Transparency: Meta must disclose the specific changes made to the Hateful Conduct Policy and provide measurable benchmarks for evaluating the initiative's impact on vulnerable communities. The public deserves to know how this policy shift will be implemented, what metrics will measure its success, and what safeguards are in place to prevent the amplification of online hate speech and disinformation targeting communities of color and other marginalized groups. This includes clear reporting on the prevalence of hate speech and disinformation before and after these changes.
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Ensure Proper Oversight: Independent audits must be conducted to assess the consequences of the policy change. These audits should include input from civil rights experts and be made publicly available to ensure accountability.
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Invest in Culturally Competent Moderation: Expanding resources for culturally informed moderation teams and technology must be prioritized. Now is not the time for the wholesale abandonment of fact-checking and content moderation.
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Public Commitment to DEIAB Goals: Meta must publicly renew and expand its commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging by establishing measurable, time-bound goals for hiring, leadership representation, and platform equity initiatives. These goals should be independently monitored and reported annually to demonstrate accountability and rebuild trust with marginalized communities.
"The National Urban League has long advocated for safe, equitable, and inclusive digital spaces and collaborated with Meta to advance these objectives. However, these policy shifts—and the lack of transparency surrounding them—cast doubt on Meta’s commitment to equity and justice and the communities we represent. We will not allow performative engagement to replace substantive action.
"We strongly urge Meta to reconsider and stand ready to meet with CEO Mark Zuckerberg to offer our advice on how the company can return to responsible stewardship of free speech online and its commitment to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion."