This letter is a plea to local communities and businesses to stop relying solely on Facebook—a corporate, for-profit information-gathering platform—as the medium for announcing local events.

I do not want to visit a town’s official website only to be redirected to Facebook for further information about local recreation or entertainment opportunities. I am not a Facebook member by choice, and I prefer to keep it that way. I do not want my personal data used to further Facebook’s profits and influence.

When I am redirected to a Facebook page, I am often denied access unless I agree to join the platform. This feels like coercive behavior.

If I want to attend events like Naples’ Rocktoberfest, take swimming lessons in Casco, or play basketball in Harrison, I would truly appreciate it if these communities allowed me to read about these opportunities directly on their own websites.

Similarly, when Pleasant Mountain is opening for the season, their staff should communicate this information on their official website—not just via Facebook.

Local communities and businesses have the power to make information accessible to everyone. Let’s encourage them to provide event details on their own platforms so no one is excluded.
https://www.centralmaine.com/2025/10/29/stop-using-facebook-for-public-announcements-letter/