WFA and ANA call on Facebook to address whistleblower allegations

The World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) and the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) have been closely following recent allegations made against Facebook by a whistleblower. 

The allegations are serious, and advertisers and other stakeholders are keen to learn more to determine if they can be corroborated.

Brands, both big and small, have a responsibility to ensure that they invest in media that is safe, and hold their providers, especially digital platforms, to account. 

We are already working together on behalf of our members to address issues with the digital media ecosystem through cross-industry initiatives such as the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), which seeks to eliminate hateful and harmful online content from advertising-supported media. Facebook has been a member of GARM since GARM’s launch.

These allegations only reinforce the need for strengthened and accelerated solutions, and scrutiny in their application.

We recognise that industry standards are not going to be enough, not least because many of the alleged issues go above and beyond advertising. Industry solutions must inevitably be complemented by regulatory intervention.

For the issues that are core to advertising, it is essential that Facebook meets with the industry, via GARM and other industry mechanisms, to address questions and repair shortcomings.

We stand ready to do our part and hope Facebook stands ready to do theirs.