Social media giant Facebook has taken down the page of a New Zealand political party just days before the country’s general election.
Advance New Zealand is now calling for an enquiry, stating the American social media company has interfered with the election due to be held on Saturday.
The page was removed on Thursday for repeatedly sharing misinformation about COVID-19, Facebook said in a statement.
“We have clear policies against this type of content and will enforce on these policies regardless of anyone’s political position or party affiliation.”
Advance New Zealand co-leader Billy Te Kahika was streaming live to the platform when it went offline.
In a statement, he said the removal of the page was a “cynical example” of election interference.
“I am horrified beyond belief. This goes to show New Zealanders and the world that the fight we are fighting to prevent a totalitarian state where our free speech is eroded is a very real fight.”
Earlier in the week, the party was ordered by New Zealand’s advertising standards authority to remove advertising which falsely claimed it is mandatory to receive vaccinations.
The party has rallied against COVID-19 lockdowns, the 5G cell phone network and unsuccessfully took a media company to court after it was excluded from televised debates. (dpa
