Chinese activist and blogger Michael Anti has been kicked off Facebook.
And he’s ticked.
I’m really, really angry. I can’t function using my Chinese name. Today, I found out that Zuckerberg’s dog has a Facebook account. My journalistic work and academic work is more real than a dog.
Anti has fellowships at both Harvard and Cambridge and has been using his Facebook account since 2007, until he was given the boot this past January. Moreover, Anti has used this professional identity to publish articles and essays for 10+ years. I think it’s called a “pen name”?
The email from Facebook stated:
We have tried to keep the rule simple and fair by saying personal profiles must always be set up in the real legal name of the individual concerned.
Seriously?
What if my legal name is Robert and I use “Bob” on my Facebook?
Considering the political climate of China, it is quite common for journalists to use pen names as to protect themselves from the Chinese Government.
Meanwhile, back at Facebook headquarters, Zuckerberg’s dog gets it’s own page.
In Facebook’s defense, Zukerberg’s dog is using his legal name “Beast” and I’m sure that the Chinese Government knows Anti’s legal name is Jing Zhao.
What do you think?
[via Huffington Post]
Agile Scout says
Is this real news? Huffington post-style?
Eric Dye says
Real? Yes.
News? Debatable.
Chuck Steel says
I think it’s important to note that Beast doesn’t have an account, but a page. There’s a pretty big difference between the two, so trying to equate them is erroneous. I’m not agreeing with Facebook’s decision to remove Mr. Anti’s account, just pointing out that his dog doesn’t have one, either.
Eric Dye says
Excellent point.