Facebook's parent company Meta has been paying several controversial content creators, including a white nationalist with Neo-Nazi links and a prominent anti-vaxxer, according to an ABC News investigation published on August 6. These creators receive monetisation despite their content sometimes violating Facebook's own policies on monetised content, raising concerns about the platform's enforcement.
The ABC News Verify investigation uncovered that Meta continues to monetise accounts tied to extremist views and misinformation. Meta declined to comment specifically on the pages identified but stated it has clear policies governing content monetisation. The investigation highlighted how some creators producing rage-bait content with extremist undertones benefit financially from Facebook's payment programs.
This revelation underscores ongoing challenges social media platforms face in balancing content moderation with monetisation. Facebook's approach contrasts with other platforms tightening rules on hate speech and misinformation. The payments to creators linked to neo-Nazi ideology and anti-vaccine misinformation come amid broader scrutiny of how social media incentivises divisive content, which can impact public discourse and safety.
Meta's policies and enforcement mechanisms are under renewed examination following the ABC News report. The investigation was published on August 6, 2026, prompting calls for greater transparency and accountability in how Facebook manages monetisation of controversial content creators.