AirAsia CEO quits Facebook after attack at New Zealand mosques
AirAsia Group CEO, Tony Fernandes speaks at a press conference in Sydney on March 12, 2015. Fernandes has quite Facebook due to so much “hate that goes on social media” especially in the wake of attacks in two New Zealand mosques last Friday that left at least 50 people dead. AFP FILE PHOTO/Peter PARKS / AFP PHOTO / PETER PARKS
MANILA, Philippines — AirAsia group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Fernandes has quit Facebook following the deadly mass shooting at two mosques in New Zealand last Friday.
In a Twitter post, Fernandes said he deactivated his Facebook account due to so much “hate that goes on social media” especially in the wake of the attacks in New Zealand that left at least 50 people dead.
Fernandes’ Facebook account has some 670,000 followers.
“Closed down my Facebook account with 670 k followers. Just thinking about Twitter now. [Whether] to close or carry on,” Fernandes tweeted Sunday.
“The amount of hate that goes on in social media sometimes outweighs the good. But on Twitter I think the battle for me goes on,” he added.
Closed down my Facebook account with 670 k followers. Just thinking about Twitter now. Weather to close or carry on. The amount of hate that goes on in social media sometimes outweighs the good. But on Twitter I think the battle for me goes on.
— Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) March 17, 2019
Reports said 28-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant indiscriminately fired at worshippers in two mosques in Christchurch and even live-streamed the carnage on Facebook last Friday.
READ: New Zealand shooter steeped attack in dark internet culture
He also uploaded a 74-page manifesto, as reported by the Associated Press (AP), “identifying himself as a 28-year-old Australian and white nationalist who was out to avenge attacks in Europe perpetrated by Muslims.”
READ: New Zealand shootings seen as racist attack; 49 dead
Facebook said it had taken down the said livestream and also removed the gunman’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, the AP report said.
READ: Tech companies scramble to remove New Zealand shooting video
But Fernandes said Facebook “could have done more to stop some of this.”
“I myself have been a victim of so many fake bitcoin and other stories. 17 mins of a live stream of killing and hate!!!! It needs to clean up and not just think of financials,” he said in an earlier tweet on March 17.
Facebook could have done more to stop some of this. I myself have been a victim of so many fake bitcoin and other stories. 17 mins of a live stream of killing and hate!!!! Its need to clean up and not just think of financials.
— Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) March 17, 2019
“It is a great platform to communicate. Strong engagement and very useful but New Zealand was too much for me to take along with all the other issues,” he added.
It is a great platform to communicate. Strong engagement and very useful but New Zealand was to much for me to take along with all the other issues.
— Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) March 17, 2019
Fernandes, however, expressed his condolences to victims’ families.
“The killing in New Zealand is so sad. Innocent people who were just praying,” he said.
The killing is New Zealand is so sad. Innocent people who were just praying. But what’s even worse is some of the reactions of the media and some politicians. Sad and numb today.
— Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) March 16, 2019
“My heart goes out to all the victims and their families. My condolences,” he added.
My heart goes out to all the victims and their families. My condolences.
— Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) March 16, 2019
