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So-called self-described “independent fact-checkers” on Instagram and Facebook charged a Heritage Foundation post for using the term “deadly force” in a headline about the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Funny thing is, the revenue service made use of the same term in its new job postings.
Since the Biden administration massively expanded its payroll, the IRS has posted multiple job openings. One of them pertains to its search for criminal investigation special agents.
Among the requirements for the position, the tax collection agency requires that applicants be legally authorized to use firearms. The first posting, which is now archived and has been amended, stated that one of the “major duties” of special agents would be to “carry a firearm and be willing to use deadly force, if necessary.”
When the Heritage Foundation made a post citing the requirement that the IRS alongside a screenshot of the job posting, both Instagram and Facebook added a warning label crying “lack of context.”
Facebook’s partner in charge of fact-checking relevant stories that may look damaging to the Democratic Party, Lead Stories, made a post clarifying the outrageous post by the fundraising service. “The IRS is not trying to arm all its agents,” it headlined.
The Heritage Foundation, it should be noted, did not claim that the IRS was trying to arm all of its special agents. However, it appears to have been reason enough for the fact-checkers to alarm the platforms or a detail they missed.
Following criticism to the IRS, the job posting was updated and the requirement in question was removed.
Tomás Lugo, journalist and writer. Born in Venezuela and graduated in Social Communication. Has written for international media outlets. Currently living in Colombia // Tomás Lugo, periodista y articulista. Nacido en Venezuela y graduado en Comunicación Social. Ha escrito para medios internacionales. Actualmente reside en Colombia.