When does political art become a political ad? In its new effort to curb political ads with unclear origins in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook may be curtailing political speech as well. New England alternative rock band SeepeopleS recently had their video for “New American Dream” pulled from both Facebook and Instagram after complaints from users, according to the band’s publicist.
“Despite going through the process of ‘authorizing’ ourselves to post ‘political ads’ (we def don’t consider it a ‘political ad’ but according to FB/IG policies, it is), the video has been removed. Furthermore, the band’s ad account has been disabled,” the statement reads. “There is a chilling reality here, and we ask, what is the future of provocative art and art that challenges its intended audience? Where and how will art/music that some find unsettling be seen or heard in the future?”
You can watch the video for yourself below and listen to SeepeopleS’ 2017 Daytrotter Session further down.