Save Anchorage Under Scrutiny by Facebook

Save Anchorage has drawn the attention of Facebook employees for their fake news and conspiracy theory posts - but they may not understand the message employees are sending them. Fed-up Alaskans have been reporting posts and comments made by group members, with some Alaskans going so far as to write and email the company as they have been up in arms over the group's conduct and rhetoric.

According to a screenshot taken from the group, Save Anchorage is now a group by the Reclaim Midtown page  — a page intently focused on recalling the current Anchorage Assembly Chair, Felix Rivera.

In recent weeks, Facebook staff have contacted moderators and administrators of the Facebook group, warning them they are in danger of being deleted. In a post to the group written by Reclaim Midtown, Facebook noted fake news related to COVID-19 and "organizations within Facebook (like the Save Anchorage group)," as well as election unrest.

Save Anchorage has a history of spreading false and misleading information, as Alaska Public Media noted in a September 20, 2020, article writing of the group:

"The 9,000 member Facebook page, which is now private, has also contributed to a spread of misinformation about the pandemic, the city’s public health measures, the homelessness situation, and other issues. Members routinely share information that has been debunked — among other things, that masks are ineffective or unhealthy, and that reported data on COVID-19 case numbers and deaths due to COVID-19 are being falsified."

The situation is so bad for the Facebook group that should posting content to the group be considered "misinformation, misleading, or missing context" by Facebook Fact-Checkers, it places the group at "risk of deletion without warning."

Reclaim Midtown, who posted an explanation of Facebook's concerns to Save Anchorage, seemed more concerned about their "freedom of speech" being restricted by Facebook, claiming that "binders get put on free speech." It is well established, however, that the First Amendment protects individuals from government censorship. Social media platforms are private companies and can determine what people post on their social media accounts as they see fit.

With recent events on Capitol Hill and social media platforms moving swiftly to curtail fake news, the Qanon cult, COVID-19 misinformation, and the incitement of violence which now permeates almost all of social media — it remains unclear if Save Anchorage will abide by Facebook's demands to get their house in order or whether they'll continue as usual only to wake up one morning to find their group banished.

Note: The Save Anchorage Facebook group is no longer listed as a group by Reclaim Midtown. However, the Reclaim Midtown page is a listed administrator of the group.