Facebook fires PR firm accused of smearing rivals

Facebook has fired a PR firm which it allegedly hired to dig up dirt on some of its competitors and critics.

It follows a major investigation in the New York Times which claimed the public relations firm Definers had pushed out negative stories – including suggestions Facebook critics were linked to the financier George Soros.

Facebook denied any suggestion it had asked Definers to write articles on its behalf – “or to spread misinformation”.