Mark Zuckerberg refuses to appear before ‘international grand committee’ investigating Facebook’s role in spreading fake news
Mark Zuckerberg will not attend ‘international grand committee’ hearing investigating fake news and election meddling involving Facebook
Governments of the UK, Ireland, Canada Argentina and Australia had asked him
Company said he had already testified to US Congress and the European Union
UK minister has previously blasted Zuckerberg’s refusal as ‘not good enough’
By CHRIS PLEASANCE
DAILYMAIL.COM
13 November 2018
Mark Zuckerberg has refused to attend an ‘international grand committee’ investigating fake news at Facebook and its impact on elections.
Rebecca Stimson, Facebook’s head of public policy for the UK, turned down an invite from the governments of Ireland, Argentina, Australia, Britain and Canada to attend a hearing scheduled for November 27.
In a letter to the committee, she wrote: ‘Mr. Zuckerberg is not able to be in London for your hearing and sends his apologies.’
Facebook had previously turned down an invitation from Damian Collins, a British MP, and Canadian minister Bob Zimmer to attend the summit.
It was hoped that additional pressure from Argentina, Ireland and Australia might force Zuckerberg, who is one of the world’s richest and most powerful men, to reconsider his position.
Facebook insists it is willing to cooperate with the investigation, but that its founder cannot make time to appear.
The new letter, seen by CBS, then goes on to detail actions that Facebook has been taking to combat fake news.
Zimmer said that Canada will consider subpoenaing Zuckerberg to appear before minister, and could hold him in contempt if he fails to do so.
‘Being held in contempt of Parliament really does not look good on a résumé,’ he said, though admitted he does not have powers to force Zuckerberg to attend.
A previous letter pointed out that he has already testified before US Congress and at the European Parliament.
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