Truth To Power – TTAG Facebook Page Unpublished
On Monday, January 11, the social media giant Facebook unpublished the page owned by The Truth About Guns. As a media platform, TTAG is known for news, reviews, editorials and political discussions surrounding the ownership of firearms in the United States. At the moment, it is unclear why the TTAG Facebook page was removed or if it will be allowed to return in the future.
The news comes only a few days after AR15.com, a thread-based forum for all types of firearms and general discussions, was unregistered by the internet company GoDaddy. The site returned after working from a backup site and changing registrants. Almost two years ago, Instagram deleted TFB’s account without warning and without the help of industry experts, it may have never returned.
Truth To Power – TTAG Facebook Page Unpublished
Then, late Monday afternoon, Facebook unpublished The Truth About Guns’ page. No warning or explanation was given and we haven’t been able to publish anything to our timeline there since. The matter has been escalated through the usual impenetrably opaque processes, but we’ve heard nothing and have to assume at this point that the Zuckerborg has no intention of restoring the account. TTAG Facebook
While TFB embraces a non-partisan approach to discussing guns, we have never downplayed the significance of the freedom to express and debate these opinions. As important as it is to discuss firearms in a non-partisan environment, it is equally important to have a home for the discussion of political topics surrounding the legal ownership of weapons by citizens in a free society. TTAG is one of those important platforms.
For those that would argue that social media is not a worthy home for the gun rights movement due to the inherently unsupportive environment, the point can be made that these outlets could be considered public utilities like the telecommunications industry or the U.S. Mail. A few decades ago, the only way to communicate with supporters and critics alike was through radio broadcasts, newspapers and television programming. As technology progressed, the ability to express individual thoughts around the world landed at our fingertips and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter became the methods in which to do so.
In conclusion, while TFB’s masthead will continue to read Firearms, Not Politics, we stand behind our brothers and sisters who offer a home for the open discussion of firearms ownership by the populace.
Silencers - Science Pete@thefirearmblog.com
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leftist play to win
conservative always lose left and right
leftist hate guns. they play to win remember that
Personally, I think it'd be great if internet media, as a whole, that is primarily directed at the US market should fall under the jurisdiction of the FCC and FTC as to regulations on what can be called "news" and truth in advertising. Frankly that would eliminate much of the legitimately inaccurate news being consumed these days, but it would probably put alot of nuttier websites and forums out of business.
There are some major differences between Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and private websites, in general, and broadcast media that make claims of "censorship" by anyone deplatformed by these companies on the conservative side of the political spectrum sound hypocritical. These are private companies, even if they are publically traded, and their general purpose is to make money by delivering eyes to advertisers. Their purpose is not to serve as a public town square, specifically because users decide what content to view and networks to belong to. The publically traded ones also have some obligation to shareholders. The people who manage them can limit content for business and / or personal reasons, which includes their own free speach rights.
Would freedom loving small government conservatives really want to endorse government controls on these kind of business? One can wish that type of regulation on the internet social media companies, but remember that sort of regulation is a double edged sword.