For the past few years, I've been sharing my love for TV shows with like-minded individuals through live streams on Instagram. These sessions have created a community where I can discuss, debate, and celebrate the shows that captivate us. However, Instagram's recent update requiring a minimum of 1,000 followers to go live threatens to silence voices like mine.

This change frustrates many content creators including myself who have been engaging meaningfully with their audiences without the benchmark of a follower count. While I can appreciate the intention behind the rule to safeguard vulnerable individuals in the sphere of social media, I firmly believe it unfairly limits the creativity and free expression for new Instagram users who would want to give this livestream option a try and get their voice out to the community. Instagram was a platform where any user from different walks of life could share their thoughts in real-time, sparking connections across different cultures and interests without the barrier of popularity metrics.

Previously, Instagram permitted any user to broadcast live, fostering diversity and inclusivity. The new threshold, however, alienates smaller voices and emerging creators who rely on these interactions to grow and present fresh perspectives. Limiting live streams to accounts with a vast audience base undermines the collaborative spirit that originally drove Instagram to success. Based on the example of other platforms, it's clear that followers do not inherently equate to safe or quality content.

This rule in my opinion should be revisited in favor of a more inclusive approach, reinstating the platform's hallmark of providing every user with an opportunity to be heard. By reversing the 1,000 followers requirement, Instagram can remain a nurturing ground for varied voices and ideas.

Please help us persuade Instagram to champion inclusivity and revert to policies that encourage free expression and diverse interactions. Sign this petition to urge Instagram to reverse the 1,000 followers rule for live streaming. We firmly believe that everyone deserves a platform for their voice.