Meta Platforms Discontinues DEI Programs Amid Legal Shifts
Meta's CEO announces the immediate discontinuation of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in response to a changing legal landscape and conservative pressures.
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Summary
Meta Platforms Inc. has announced the discontinuation of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, citing a changing legal landscape. CEO Mark Zuckerberg noted a strategic shift towards fair hiring practices without preferential treatment. The decision follows a Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action and align with broader corporate trends to scale back similar initiatives amid conservative backlash. HR VP Janelle Gale confirmed the end of the 'Diverse Slate Approach' and other representation goals, signifying a major pivot in Meta's corporate ethos and practices.
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From the Left
Meta's recent termination of its DEI programs reflects a disturbing trend in corporate America where the prioritization of diversity, equity, and inclusion is being undermined amid a conservative backlash.
The internal memo fails to acknowledge the long-term positive impact of DEI initiatives in enhancing diverse talent and representation, particularly in light of Meta's previous commitments and modest success in increasing the representation of marginalized communities.
Meta's decision to dismantle its DEI efforts illustrates a retreat from fostering a diverse workforce, potentially entrenching systemic biases and undermining the progress made since the George Floyd protests sparked a nationwide call for racial equity.
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From the Right
Meta's abolition of DEI programs marks a pivotal shift towards more meritocratic hiring practices, reflecting a nationwide response against what many perceive as 'woke' corporate policies that prioritize diversity over competence.
This decision aligns with a broader trend of companies reviewing their DEI initiatives in response to a growing backlash that argues these programs create division rather than inclusivity, driven by legal changes including Supreme Court rulings against affirmative action.
The overhaul of DEI practices at Meta signifies a commitment to treating employees as individuals based on merit rather than race or gender, countering claims that previous practices foster preferential treatment and ideologically driven discrimination.
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Highlights (21)
The move is a strong signal to Meta employees that the company's push to make inroads with the incoming Trump administration isn't just posturing, but an ethos shift that will impact its business practices.
Meta's civil rights team head to leave company
Axios
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Meta is reversing its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and practices with immediate effect, a spokesperson confirmed to The Epoch Times, with the change following a wave of similar corporate rollbacks across the United States.
Meta Scraps DEI Amid Broader Corporate Retreat From Diversity Policies
Epoch Times
·RightThe underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.Mixed Reliable
Less than a week after Meta said it would abandon its fact-checking program because fact-checkers have been “too politically biased,” the social media giant is telling employees that it will immediately drop multiple initiatives aimed at boosting diversity within the company.
Meta Kills Diversity Initiatives, Loosens Hate Speech Rules, Deletes 'Trans' Theme From App
HuffPost
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Amazon.com is winding down diversity programs ahead of Republican Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency, amid growing conservative opposition to such initiatives.
Amazon dials back DEI programs ahead of Trump inauguration
The Guardian
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Amazon said it is halting some of its diversity and inclusion initiatives, joining a growing list of major corporations that have made similar moves in the face of increasing public and legal scrutiny.
Amazon to halt some of its DEI programs: Internal memo
CNBC
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Meta Platforms Inc. joins a growing list of companies that are pulling back on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Which US companies are pulling back on diversity initiatives?
Associated Press
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The decision to roll back DEI programs was announced days after the Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, shared that the company’s fact-checking program would be replaced with a 'Community Notes' system, similar to the one used by Elon Musk’s X.
Meta Abandons its DEI Programs Days Ahead of Trump’s Inauguration
New York Sun
·RightThe underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.Mixed Reliable
Meta is ending its key diversity, equity and inclusion programs, joining other corporate giants like Ford, McDonald's and Walmart that have pulled the plug on their DEI initiatives.
Meta ends diversity programs, joining McDonald's, Walmart and other major companies to back off DEI
CBS News
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The move comes just days after the tech giant, owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, said it was ending a fact-checking programme criticised by President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans and elevated conservatives to key leadership positions.
Meta axes DEI programmes joining corporate rollback
BBC News
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Amazon is scaling back on some of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, becoming the latest major corporation to make cuts to such initiatives that critics have deemed "woke."
Amazon trims back DEI initiatives, latest company to make cuts
Fox Business
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Meta is ending significant diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives due to changes in the “legal and policy landscape,” according to a memo obtained by Axios on Friday.
Meta Ditches Diversity Programs After Trump Win, Supreme Court Cases
Daily Caller
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Several Meta employees responded to Gale’s post with comments criticizing the new policy.
Meta announces end of its DEI programs. Read the memo.
NBC News
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Meta is ending its diversity, equity and inclusion programs effective immediately in the company’s latest swing away from traditionally left-leaning causes.
Meta kills DEI programs in its latest appeal to Trump
Straight Arrow News
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It's another move by Meta that some view as part of the company's larger effort to align with the incoming Trump administration's politics.
Meta kills diversity programs, claiming DEI has become “too charged”
ARS Technica
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Rather than emphasize diversity, Gale said the company would implement policies 'that focus on how to apply fair and consistent practices that mitigate bias for all, no matter your background.'
All DEI policies terminated at Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram
The Blaze
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Meta’s about-face came just days after CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that his company would scrap censoring free speech on its popular social media platforms.
Meta, Amazon ditch DEI programs as tech giants move away from ‘woke’ agenda
New York Post
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Meta is continuing to roll back its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, from changing its own hiring practices to eliminating user themes that celebrated LGBTQ+ rights.
Courting Trump, Zuckerberg ditches DEI and kills off LGBTQ+ themes for Facebook Messenger
Salon
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Meta joins a growing list of major companies to backtrack on DEI commitments made after the murder of George Floyd in 2020 forced a historic reckoning with race in America, including McDonald’s, Walmart and Ford that have walked back some DEI policies and programs.
Facebook owner Meta kills DEI in latest nod to Trump and MAGA movement
USA TODAY
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Meta is terminating its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs effective immediately, and will instead build initiatives 'that focus on how to apply fair and consistent practices that mitigate bias for all, no matter your background.' This step continues Zuckerberg’s attempt to extend an olive branch to Donald Trump and the MAGA movement.
Mark Zuckerberg's Meta Nukes DEI Programs in Latest Olive Branch to MAGA
Breitbart News
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Meta is ending all of its DEI programs effective immediately, according to a new report.
BREAKING: META abandons DEI practices
The Post Millennial
·RightThe underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.Mixed Reliable
Meta is rolling back its DEI programs, Business Insider has learned. Meta is the latest company to back away from DEI in the wake of a backlash, legal challenges, and the reelection of Donald Trump as US president.
Leaked memo: Meta rolls back its DEI programs
Business Insider
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