Facebook is censoring speculation over hydroxychloroquine being used as a cure for COVID-19, even when other nations are reportedly using it as a treatment.
Reclaim The Net addressed what could be called “a case of digital imperialism” July 30, pointing out that “Facebook went with imposing the rules of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on its users,” despite hydroxychloroquine’s reported use as a treatment for COVID-19 in other nations. Reclaim The Net referenced a study from Sermo, which touts itself as “the largest healthcare data collection company and global social platform for physicians.” Sermo conducted a 3-day poll with over 6,200 physicians from 30 countries. The Sermo poll indicated that hydroxychloroquine, far from medical quackery, is one of the most commonly prescribed treatments for the virus:
“The three most commonly prescribed treatments amongst COVID-19 treaters are 56% analgesics, 41% Azithromycin, and 33% Hydroxychloroquine[.]
“Hydroxychloroquine usage amongst COVID-19 treaters is 72% in Spain, 49% in Italy, 41% in Brazil, 39% in Mexico, 28% in France, 23% in the U.S., 17% in Germany, 16% in Canada, 13% in the UK and 7% in Japan.”
Reclaim The Net mused that these revelations may seem shocking to those who live in the United States, considering that many liberal authorities have behaved as if using hydroxychloroquine is irresponsible, mad science:
“It might seem strange to Americans, where the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine has been relegated to a hoax and even a conspiracy theory by mainstream media and Big Tech that there are countries in the world like Spain and Italy – among the hardest hit initially, but that, according to the study, seem to be doing well in this second coronavirus wave – where hydroxychloroquine is by far the most used anti-Covid drug (72% and 49% respectively).”
Earlier this week, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube all worked in concert to mass censor material from President Donald Trump, his son, Donald Trump Jr. and a Facebook event featuring doctors discussing treatment for COVID-19.
Business Insider summarized that, in the censored video, “doctors from a group called America's Frontline Doctors insist that hydroxychloroquine is a ‘cure’ for coronavirus, and called studies questioning the effectiveness of the drug ‘fake science.’”
Facebook spokesperson Andy Stone commented on the controversy: “Yes, we removed it for sharing false information about cures and treatments for COVID-19.” He also mentioned that anyone who had engaged with that video would receive messages that the video was “misinformation” and be directed to the World Health Organization (WHO). Conservative pundit Robby Starbuck pointed out that Stone used to work for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Conservatives have grown increasingly wary of how Big Tech selects what authorities act as the arbiters of truth regarding the COVID-19 virus. Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH) trashed Big Tech across the board at the July 29 antitrust hearing for censoring users who question the World Health Organization, “the organization that lied to us, the organization that shilled for China,” he qualified. Jordan juxtaposed how WHO “can say whatever they want. They can lie for China, they can shill for China,” but “if you say something against them, you get censored.” WHO, as late as mid-January, told millions of Twitter users that “Chinese authorities have found no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission” of COVID-19.
Conservatives are under attack. Contact Facebook headquarters at 1-650-308-7300 or 1-650-543-4800 and demand that the platform mirror the First Amendment. If you have been censored, contact us at the Media Research Center contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.
