Anti-hate groups are intensifying their efforts to increase transparency at Meta regarding how the company combats hate speech, particularly antisemitism, anti-LGBTQ+, and anti-disability content. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Jewish investor network JLens have launched a campaign urging Meta shareholders to support a new proposal, known as Proposal 8, during the company’s annual meeting on May 28. This proposal calls for Meta to publish a detailed public report on how it identifies, moderates, and addresses hate speech across its platforms. ADL and JLens argue that the report should include data on the prevalence of hate speech, broken down by the marginalized communities it targets, and an analysis of trends under updated policy guidelines. It should also disclose any new policies or technological interventions Meta is developing to mitigate the spread of harmful content. Both organizations contend that Meta’s current disclosures are insufficient, lacking independent, community-specific metrics that are essential for understanding the risks associated with hate speech. Despite the activism, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg holds significant control over the company through a dual-class stock structure, meaning he has the final say on shareholder votes. Even if a majority of external investors support Proposal 8, it is unlikely to succeed without Zuckerberg’s endorsement. Meta’s board has already recommended that shareholders vote against the proposal, citing existing comprehensive content moderation systems and transparency reports as reasons why an additional report would not add meaningful information. However, ADL and JLens maintain that pushing the issue onto the ballot is crucial for holding Meta accountable. "This is not a one-time effort, but part of a broader push to ensure Meta takes meaningful responsibility for the harmful content that appears on its platforms," said Ari Hoffnung, managing director of JLens. He added that transparency is the first step in fostering a safer environment and that investors and the public need a clearer understanding of Meta’s actions against hate speech. JLens, which manages investments in major public companies, including Meta, has identified hate speech as a financial risk for shareholders. Ari Hoffnung noted that harmful content could expose Meta to legal, regulatory, and reputational risks, potentially damaging relationships with advertisers. "Meta is the platform where we’ve consistently identified as having one of the highest volumes of antisemitic and other hateful content, making it a priority for investor engagement," said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. Founded in 1913, the ADL is a leading civil rights organization focused on combating antisemitism and hate. In 2022, the group acquired JLens, enhancing its role in shareholder advocacy. While ADL does not directly own Meta stock, its acquisition of JLens allows it to influence corporate governance through shareholder proposals. The oversight boards and recent events highlight the growing concern. Meta’s independent Oversight Board recently warned that the company’s policy rollbacks could compromise user safety and brand trust. Greenblatt emphasized that while they support free expression, it should not come at the cost of safety. He cited Reddit's transparency report, which tracks incidents of Holocaust denial and hate speech against specific groups, as a template for the type of reporting ADL hopes Meta will implement. Other shareholder proposals on the agenda for Meta’s annual meeting include calls for greater transparency around child safety risks, oversight of AI usage, and enhanced reporting on data collection practices to protect user privacy. JLens has also been active in filing shareholder letters at other companies, such as Intel, General Dynamics, and Lockheed Martin, rejecting proposals deemed anti-Israel. During the 2024 proxy season, JLens and ADL campaigned at multiple companies to advocate for stronger actions against antisemitism and other forms of hate. Industry insiders view this activist campaign as a significant move to pressure Meta into taking more concrete steps to address hate speech. They argue that while Meta has made progress in content moderation, more detailed and transparent reporting is necessary to ensure continuous improvement and accountability. The combination of ADL’s civil rights expertise and JLens’s financial leverage underscores a multifaceted approach to influencing corporate behavior. Meta’s stance on these proposals will likely reflect its broader strategy on user safety and content governance, with implications for its reputation and business relationships.