NEW YORK (WBEN) — Facebook has blocked promoting a tell-all book by a former aide of then-Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo — who last week told 1010 WINS he "forcibly hugged her" in 2000 — because of its title.
Page Six reports Facebook halted Karen Hinton's "Penis Politics" from launching a planned ad campaign on the social network Monday because of the memoir's raunchy name.
Hinton, a former aide of Mayor Bill de Blasio, told Page Six her book — due out Dec. 1 — is about “the toxic brew of ego, entitlement, and bro-culture,” and Facebook "should be ashamed" for objecting to its promotion because "['Penis Politics'] is not about sex."
Hinton argued the decision by Facebook is not unexpected.
"Facebook’s actions are not surprising," she added. "The company has a documented history of promoting misogynistic content and sexual violence against women. Yet they are afraid of the word ‘penis’ in a book about sexual harassment."
Hinton said the company has no issue featuring pages for the critically-acclimated play, "The Vagina Monologues," "but appear[s] to be scared off by a little 'penis.'"
Facebook, who announced late last month it was changing it's name to "Meta," has been previously accused of promoting misogynistic content.
In a statement Tuesday, a Facebook spokesperson told 1010 WINS, "There is nothing about the content of these ads that prevent them from running, but they do require the advertiser to complete the political ad authorization process."
However, Hinton called out Facebook's explantation to 1010 WINS Tuesday afternoon, questioning their motives.
"My publisher has never had to complete an 'authorization' form to purchase ads for over 20 of his books in the past. Their content was never questioned. So why 'Penis Politics'? Facebook’s statement does not address why company officials have concerns about the book’s content," she said.
Hinton argued the social media giant's decision is "a violation of [her] free speech."
"We are willing to pay for the ads yet Facebook has denied us the right to advertise a book about the power dynamic between women and men mostly in the workplace and in politics," she added. "I don’t have the resources to fight Facebook over this. Facebook is [in] control of my rights even as company officials allow other content to attack and insult women."
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