MEDIA WATCH | LINKEDIN

LinkedIn—It Can’t Be True, You’re Supporting Pro Bigot Leah Remini?

How did a respected, unbiased, work-related platform such as LinkedIn become a hate-inspiring, money-grubbing soap box? Is it aspiring to join the ranks of Twitter, Facebook and the like?

June 23, 2018

Director of Advertising
Microsoft Corporation

Dear Mr. Passon,

I have been a very satisfied LinkedIn member for several years. Recently, I was shocked to see an advertisement for A&E’s show “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath” on this platform.

Until further notice, the Wikipedia description of LinkedIn is as follows:

“LinkedIn is a business and employment-oriented service that operates via websites and mobile apps. … it is mainly used for professional networking, including employers posting jobs and job seekers posting their CVs [resumes].”

How did an efficient, respected, unbiased, work-related platform such as LinkedIn come to support a hate-inspiring, money-grabbing soap box? I certainly hope it’s not evolving in such a way as to join the ranks of Twitter, Facebook and the like. I can only think it must have been an oversight on the part of one or maybe a few of your staff.

I for one have always preferred LinkedIn for its impartial nature. Am I, along with many of the 500 million + other members, to understand that this is no longer the case? I can think offhand of several clients who pay thousands in LinkedIn ads monthly who will think twice when they realize this.

Furthermore, on your website, under the heading “Advertising Guidelines,” you stipulate: “Do not advertise illegal products, dating sites, gambling, hate or violence, weapons, financial status, multilevel marketing programs, inflammatory religious or political content, and more.” This criterion has been violated in the case of the Leah Remini A&E ad.

Last year several respectable companies pulled their ads from A&E networks to end their support of Ms. Remini’s religious hate program. To name a few: IKEA, Master Card, Georgia Pacific and Western Governors University.

I am appealing to LinkedIn executives to think twice and refuse to fall into the trap of sensationalistic, gossip-mongering publicity and stick to their original, constructive purpose of providing a professional networking tool.

Sincerely,

Nicky Baker
Clearwater, Fla.