Meta Blocks Virginia Woolf Theatre Play Ads
Social media ads prepared for Teatre Raval's adaptation of Virginia Woolf in Barcelona were halted due to system policies.
Promotional advertisements on Instagram and Facebook for the stage adaptation of Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own, produced by Barcelona-based Teatre Raval, were blocked by Meta on the grounds of feminism.
Ads Caught Up in Social Issues
Teatre Raval, which recently reopened in Barcelona, publicly announced that Meta blocked the advertisements prepared to promote the play adapted from Virginia Woolf's work.
The theatre management contacted Meta to learn why the ads were not published and requested an official statement from the company.
Meta's Filtering Rationale
Following the response given by Meta officials, it was stated that expressions concerning civil rights, feminism, and social reform are evaluated under social issues by automated systems.
The company advised that certain keywords be removed from the text and that the content not give the impression of activism in order for the ads to be approved.
Reaction from Theatre Management and Actor
Teatre Raval strongly reacted to the promotion of a cultural and artistic work being blocked simply because it contains fundamental concepts such as feminism.
Meanwhile, the lead actor of the play, Clara Sanchis, expressed that they were not clearly explained which exact phrase caused the ads to be blocked.