Alexandria, VA – The Institute for Free Speech released the following statement in response to today’s speech by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg at Georgetown University on the importance of protecting free expression.

“Good for Mark Zuckerberg for speaking out for free speech. He’s right to stand up to politicians who want Facebook to censor speech they don’t like,” said Institute for Free Speech President David Keating.

“Social media has become a Fifth Estate that is a vital tool to hold government accountable. Facebook and other online platforms should embrace free speech and reject calls from Washington to try to control debate. Americans deserve to judge for themselves the statements made by politicians.

“Overall, Zuckerberg’s speech was a strong defense of free expression, but Facebook has a long way to go on the details. It backed a Maryland law that a federal court found violated the First Amendment. It continues to back other legislation that will harm free expression. And its moderation policies are still too restrictive and need improvement,” Keating said.

About the Institute for Free Speech

The Institute for Free Speech is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes and defends the First Amendment rights to freely speak, assemble, publish, and petition the government. Originally known as the Center for Competitive Politics, it was founded in 2005 by Bradley A. Smith, a former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission. The Institute is the nation’s largest organization dedicated solely to protecting First Amendment political rights.