by Amber Trucke
If you have a Facebook account and have checked it at all in the last 24 hours, you’re no doubt aware that A&E has indefinitely suspended Phil Robertson, the patriarch of their mega-hit reality show “Duck Dynasty.” If you’re a Duck Dynasty fan you likely know all the details – if not, you still likely know all the details thanks to many in your Facebook feed.
But some are claiming that now Facebook is censoring their views in support of Robertson.
In one case, the page creator of the page ‘Boycott A&E Until Phil Robertson Is Put Back On Duck Dynasty’ had his ability to post to the page suspended for 12 hours by Facebook. Wayne Dupree of the Wayne Dupree Show webcast posted to the page with what looks to be a screenshot of the ban notification Facebook sent to the creator, Michael, along with a message to members of the page letting them know that Michael would be unable to post.
The screenshot of the notification shows that Facebook banned Michael for a post that simply read, “Nearly 4,500 likes in ONE HOUR! Amazing everyone, please keep sharing!”
The page, created Wednesday evening after news of Robertson’s suspension, now has more than 685,000 likes less than 24 hours later.
Former governor and Fox News host Mike Huckabee also fell victim to Facebook’s censorship today. He created the event page ‘Stand With Phil and Support Free Speech’ early Thursday morning and the ability to invite people to the event was shut off almost immediately. When Huckabee went to his Facebook page to tell the public that Facebook had banned his event, Facebook contacted him and asked that he clarify the ban.
“FB would like us to clarify- the event hasn't been blocked just the ability to invite friends to join the event. So essentially the same effect but for the sake of accuracy we will split hairs for them.”
Robertson was “suspended indefinitely” from the show after his interview with GQ Magazine was made public. In the interview Robertson, who often talks about his faith on the reality show, made comments about his belief that homosexuality is a sin.
“We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty,” Said A&E in a statement. “His personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.”
In a statement to FOX411, Robertson tried to further explain that he doesn't hate any one community of people, but he stands by what he believes the Bible says.
“My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the Bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together.
"However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other.”
Many fans of Duck Dynasty are outraged by the suspension, citing freedom of speech violations and, as so often is the case these days, they have gone to Facebook to vent their frustration and show their support. Interestingly, Facebook seems to be blind to the passionate pro-free speech climate as it places bans and limitations on pages accruing hundreds of thousands of followers who are infuriated at what they see as A&E’s censorship of Robertson.
The Wisconsin Free has contacted Facebook for comment but is still awaiting a response.
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