House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has strongly criticised Facebook for failing to tackle misinformation after the social media network refused to remove a doctored video that made her appear drunk or ill. In an interview with California radio station KQED on Wednesday, Pelosi accused Facebook of 'wittingly' allowing the spread of false information, referencing the platform's role in Russian interference during the 2016 US election.
'We have said all along, poor Facebook, they were unwittingly exploited by the Russians,' Pelosi said. 'I think wittingly, because right now they are putting up something that they know is false. I think it's wrong. I can take it. But [Facebook is] lying to the public.' She added that the company's refusal to take down the video proved they were 'willing enablers' of Russian election interference.
Facebook has not responded to a request for comment. Last week, the company said it would continue to host the video, which had been edited and slowed down to give the impression that Pelosi was slurring her words. The platform only downgraded its visibility and attached a link to a third-party factchecking site after inquiries from the Washington Post.
The video was promoted by Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who tweeted a link with the caption: 'What is wrong with Nancy Pelosi? Her speech pattern is bizarre.' He later deleted the tweet. President Trump also shared a different altered video of Pelosi, captioned: 'PELOSI STAMMERS THROUGH NEWS CONFERENCE.'
The viral success of the clip highlights the challenges of combating online disinformation, particularly when individuals are willing to share material that aligns with their political views, even when it is accompanied by warnings.
