Advance NZ Party Facebook Page Removed for Violating Disinformation Policies

Facebook has taken down the Advance NZ page just two days before the election.

Party co-leader Billy Te Kahika says the move is “nothing less than electoral interference,” and calls for an investigation into the social media giant’s behavior.

“Advance NZ has bravely questioned the government’s approach to Covid-19, sharing the views and advice of international scientists and defending vested interests in New Zealand,” he said.

But a Facebook spokeswoman said the party was removed from office after it repeatedly violated the social media site’s disinformation policies.

“We do not allow anyone to share misinformation on our platforms about Covid-19 that could cause imminent physical harm,” he said.

“We have clear policies against this type of content and we will enforce them regardless of anyone’s political position or party affiliation.

“We removed the Advance New Zealand / New Zealand Public Party Facebook page for repeated violations of this policy.”

It comes when the party was ordered to remove misleading advertising claiming that vaccinations were mandatory under the law, which is not the case.

Chief Health Officer Dr. Ashley Bloomfield has even officially stated that a Covid-19 vaccine would not be mandatory.

The Advertising Standards Authority said the statement used

sent the message that the government had overstepped its limits in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The board also noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has sparked increased fear about vaccination and that use of the unsubstantiated statement is likely to cause fear or distress without justification,” the ASA said in its decision.

In August, the party was ordered to remove a political video from social media claiming that the Labor Party would force New Zealanders to get vaccinated.

Spokesman Trevor Mallard told the party to remove the clip posted on the party’s Facebook page because it violates the rules for using parliamentary images.

At the time, Advance NZ co-leader Jami-Lee Ross said he rejected Mallard’s move, calling it “draconian.”

Today, Te Kahika said that Facebook’s actions showed that the party was in a “very real fight” against New Zealand becoming a totalitarian state.

“This is a cynical example of election interference by a US-owned media outlet that does not have to conduct any such operation in our sovereign nation. I am horrified beyond belief.”

“We have to stand now, in this election, to protect our rights and freedoms,” he said.

“We need a full investigation into Facebook’s election interference.”

Te Kahika holds a number of controversial views, including that Covid-19 was a biological weapon designed to be used on civilians around the world.