Al Jazeera Journalism Review

Facebook outside
GAZA CITY, GAZA: Palestinian journalists hold placards during a protest against social media platform Facebook after nearly 300 Palestinian accounts had been blocked, in front of the United Nations building in Gaza City, Gaza on March 5, 2018. [Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images]

Facebook is showing its double standards over freedom of speech

Hate speech is a bad idea. A good idea would be for platforms to show consistency in their content moderation, particularly when it comes to Palestine

 

This week, Meta, the mother company of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, announced that it had “temporarily made allowances for the forms of political expressions that would normally violate our rules like violent speech as ‘death to Russian invaders’. We still won’t allow credible calls for violence against Russian civilians.”

According to this new policy, then, calling for the death of Russians is considered a “form of political speech” but its platform, Instagram, reportedly erases posts, images and links that document Israel’s human rights abuses against Palestinians even when these posts are not opinions, but rather news items from credible news sources, as Human Rights Watch reported in October 2021.

According to that report, hundreds of accounts were also suspended based on peaceful solidarity, not calls for violence, incitement or hate towards Israelis. Much of the Palestinian content was censored or - in the company’s terminology - “moderated”, despite the fact that the majority included no direct calls for violence or hate speech. 

The mainstream global English-speaking media have consistently stifled debate about the Palestinians’ cause, their human rights or actions. Longstanding strategies of focusing on reporting violence, prioritising Israeli sources over Palestinian ones, maintaining affinity with Israel official narratives when it comes to describing the events and framing Palestinian resistance as “terrorism”, has led to mainstreaming bias against them. 

Ironically, even the Israeli liberal press occasionally shows more fairness towards the Palestinians than the American press does. 

The Palestinian Uprising of May 2021 was a case in point. Palestinians in the occupied territories took to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok to tell their stories which are normally suppressed by the mainstream media. They used these social media platforms to share and document Israeli police brutality, violations of Palestinians’ rights, forced evictions and denials of access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and to call for solidarity with their non-violent resistance. 

The response of the social networks was to apply strict censorship to Palestinian and pro-Palestinian content. 

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter either deleted or demoted pro-Palestinian posts and suspended activists, journalists and news media accounts, largely affecting the already stifled global narrative, effectively aiding Israeli suppression of the Palestinian story and silencing any criticism of Israel’s brutal occupation and its colonial policies. 

In relaxing its rules to allow Ukrainians to protest against Russian oppression, Facebook shows it knows exactly how wrong this treatment of the Palestinians is

 

For the first few days of the uprising in May 2021, Tik Tok was the only platform that granted the Palestinians the freedom of speech and publishing. Palestinian and pro-Palestinian speech was labelled as “hate speech”, denying Palestinians under Israeli occupation and around the world their freedom of expression, where it should be granted as their right under international law and treaties. 

Many international organisations documented and reported these human rights abuses of the Palestinians by these networks including PAX, Article 19, AccessNow, the Palestinian Digital Rights Organization and 7amleh. 

META claims it is completely transparent in its guidelines but little explanation is provided as to how a post or an account might have violated its community guidelines or what its guidelines are for moderating Palestinian content. 

So how does META develop content moderation policy and who has the freedom to speak on its platforms? These are important questions that Facebook and its Oversight Board, which claims to work towards “ensuring respect for free expression through independent judgement” must answer now. 

How are appointments to the Facebook Oversight Board scrutinised? Emi Palmor, previously the General Director of the Israeli Ministry of Justice (2014-2019), is a member of this Oversight Board. Her appointment came despite calls from international rights groups and organisations to block it. The Association for Progressive Communications said: “Under Palmor’s direction, the Israeli Ministry of Justice petitioned Facebook to censor legitimate speech of human rights defenders and journalists because it was deemed politically undesirable.” 

Similarly, Jordana Cutler, Facebook’s director of policy for Israel is a former advisor to former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both of these appointments indicate a tendency for Facebook to consult with right-wing proponents of Israel, with internationally acclaimed rights groups such as Jewish Voice for Peace are seemingly ignored.

Israel has historically over-securitised freedom of expression and arrested Palestinian activists for Facebook and Twitter posts, marking them as “terrorists” for their political views. In relaxing their rules to allow Ukrainians to do exactly the same when it comes to Russian oppression, Facebook et al show they know exactly how wrong this treatment is.

Abeer Al-Najjar is Associate Professor in the Department of Mass Communications of the American University of Sharjah

 

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera Journalism Review’s editorial stance

 

 

 

 

More Articles

Voting in a Time of Genocide

The upcoming U.S. presidential election occurs against the backdrop of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, with AJ Plus prioritising marginalised voices and critically analysing Western mainstream media narratives while highlighting the undemocratic aspects of the U.S. electoral system.

Tony Karon Published on: 22 Oct, 2024
Journalists Should Not Embrace the Artificial Intelligence Hype

What factors should journalists take into account while discussing the use of AI in the media?

Jorge Sagastume Muralles
Jorge Sagastume Published on: 16 Oct, 2024
A Year of Genocide and Bias: Western Media's Whitewashing of Israel's Ongoing War on Gaza

Major Western media outlets continue to prove that they are a party in the war of narratives, siding with the Israeli occupation. The article explains how these major Western media outlets are still refining their techniques of bias in favor of the occupation, even a year after the genocide in Palestine.

Mohammad Zeidan
Mohammad Zeidan Published on: 9 Oct, 2024
A Half-Truth is a Full Lie

Misinformation is rampant in modern conflicts, worsened by the internet and social media, where false news spreads easily. While news agencies aim to provide unbiased, fact-based reporting, their focus on brevity and hard facts often lacks the necessary context, leaving the public vulnerable to manipulation and unable to fully grasp the complexities of these issues.

Ilya
Ilya U Topper Published on: 30 Sep, 2024
Testimonies of the First Witness of the Sabra & Shatila Massacre

The Sabra and Shatila massacre in 1982 saw over 3,000 unarmed Palestinian refugees brutally killed by Phalangist militias under the facilitation of Israeli forces. As the first journalist to enter the camps, Japanese journalist Ryuichi Hirokawa provides a harrowing first-hand account of the atrocity amid a media blackout. His testimony highlights the power of bearing witness to a war crime and contrasts the past Israeli public outcry with today’s silence over the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Mei Shigenobu مي شيغينوبو
Mei Shigenobu Published on: 18 Sep, 2024
Anonymous Sources in the New York Times... Covering the War with One Eye

The use of anonymous sources in journalism is considered, within professional and ethical standards, a “last option” for journalists. However, analysis of New York Times data reveals a persistent pattern in the use of “anonymity” to support specific narratives, especially Israeli narratives.

Mohammad Zeidan
Mohammad Zeidan Published on: 8 Sep, 2024
India and Pakistan; Journalists building Bridges for Understanding

Amid decades of tension, journalists from India and Pakistan are uniting to combat hostile narratives and highlight shared challenges. Through collaboration, they’re fostering understanding on pressing issues like climate change and healthcare, proving that empathy can transcend borders. Discover how initiatives like the Journalists' Exchange Programme are paving the way for peace journalism and a more nuanced narrative.

Safina
Safina Nabi Published on: 12 Aug, 2024
From TV Screens to YouTube: The Rise of Exiled Journalists in Pakistan

Pakistani journalists are leveraging YouTube to overcome censorship, connecting with global audiences, and redefining independent reporting in their homeland.

Anam Hussain
Anam Hussain Published on: 28 Jul, 2024
How AI Synthesised Media Shapes Voter Perception: India's Case in Point

The recent Indian elections witnessed the unprecedented use of generative AI, leading to a surge in misinformation and deepfakes. Political parties leveraged AI to create digital avatars of deceased leaders, Bollywood actors

Suvrat Arora
Suvrat Arora Published on: 12 Jun, 2024
The Rise of Podcasting: How Digital Audio Is Revolutionising Journalism

In this age of digital transformation and media convergence, podcasts stand out as a testament to the enduring power of journalism—a medium that transcends borders, sparks conversations, and brings the world closer together.

Anam Hussain
Anam Hussain Published on: 6 Jun, 2024
Under Fire: The Perilous Reality for Journalists in Gaza's War Zone

Journalists lack safety equipment and legal protection, highlighting the challenges faced by journalists in Gaza. While Israel denies responsibility for targeting journalists, the lack of international intervention leaves journalists in Gaza exposed to daily danger.

Linda Shalash
Linda Shalash Published on: 9 May, 2024
Your Words Are Your Weapon — You Are a Soldier in a Propaganda War

Narrative warfare and the role of journalists in it is immense; the context of the conflict, the battleground has shifted to the realm of narratives, where journalists play a decisive role in shaping the narrative.

Ilya
Ilya U Topper Published on: 21 Apr, 2024
The Privilege and Burden of Conflict Reporting in Nigeria: Navigating the Emotional Toll

The internal struggle and moral dilemmas faced by a conflict reporter, as they grapple with the overwhelming nature of the tragedies they witness and the sense of helplessness in the face of such immense suffering. It ultimately underscores the vital role of conflict journalism in preserving historical memory and giving a voice to the voiceless.

Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu
Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu Published on: 17 Apr, 2024
Journalism in chains in Cameroon

Investigative journalists in Cameroon sometimes use treacherous means to navigate the numerous challenges that hamper the practice of their profession: the absence of the Freedom of Information Act, the criminalisation of press offenses, and the scare of the overly-broad anti-terrorism law.

Nalova Akua
Nalova Akua Published on: 12 Apr, 2024
The Perils of Journalism and the Rise of Citizen Media in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia's media landscape is grim, with low rankings for internet and press freedom across the region. While citizen journalism has risen to fill the gaps, journalists - both professional and citizen - face significant risks due to government crackdowns and the collusion between tech companies and authorities to enable censorship and surveillance.

AJR Contributor Published on: 6 Apr, 2024
Orientalism, Imperialism and The Western Coverage of Palestine

Western mainstream media biases and defence of the Israeli narrative are connected to orientalism, racism, and imperialism, serving the interests of Western ruling political and economic elites. However, it is being challenged by global movements aiming to shed light on the realities of the conflict and express solidarity with the Palestinian population.

Joseph Daher
Joseph Daher Published on: 1 Apr, 2024
Ethical Dilemmas of Photo Editing in Media: Lessons from Kate Middleton’s Photo Controversy

Photoshop—an intelligent digital tool celebrated for enhancing the visual appearance of photographs—is a double-edged sword. While it has the power to transform and refine images, it also skillfully blurs the line between reality and fiction, challenging the legitimacy of journalistic integrity and the credibility of news media.

Anam Hussain
Anam Hussain Published on: 26 Mar, 2024
Breaking Barriers: The Rise of Citizen Journalists in India's Fight for Media Inclusion

Grassroots journalists from marginalized communities in India, including Dalits and Muslims, are challenging mainstream media narratives and bringing attention to underreported issues through digital outlets like The Mooknayak.

Hanan Zaffa
Hanan Zaffar, Jyoti Thakur Published on: 3 Mar, 2024
Silenced Voices and Digital Resilience: The Case of Quds Network

Unrecognized journalists in conflict zones face serious risks to their safety and lack of support. The Quds Network, a Palestinian media outlet, has been targeted and censored, but they continue to report on the ground in Gaza. Recognition and support for independent journalists are crucial.

Yousef Abu Watfe يوسف أبو وطفة
Yousef Abu Watfeh Published on: 21 Feb, 2024
Artificial Intelligence's Potentials and Challenges in the African Media Landscape

How has the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence impacted newsroom operations, job security and regulation in the African media landscape? And how are journalists in Africa adapting to these changes?

Derick Matsengarwodzi
Derick Matsengarwodzi Published on: 18 Feb, 2024
Media Monopoly in Brazil: How Dominant Media Houses Control the Narrative and Stifle Criticism of Israel

An in-depth analysis exploring the concentration of media ownership in Brazil by large companies, and how this shapes public and political narratives, particularly by suppressing criticism of Israel.

The Perils of Unverified News: A Case of Nonexistent Flotillas

Can you hide one thousand ships in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea? I would say not. But some of my fellow journalists seem to believe in magic.  

Ilya
Ilya U Topper Published on: 16 Jan, 2024
In the Courtroom and Beyond: Covering South Africa's Historic Legal Case Against Israel at The Hague

As South Africa takes on Israel at the International Court of Justice, the role of journalists in covering this landmark case becomes more crucial than ever. Their insights and reporting bring the complexities of international law to a global audience.

Hala Ahed
Hala Ahed Published on: 12 Jan, 2024
Did the NYTimes Manipulate the Sexual Violence Allegations of October 7?

An in-depth examination of the New York Times's investigation of alleged sexual assaults by Hamas during the Israeli war on Gaza, highlighting ethical concerns, and the impact of its reporting on the victims' families. It questions the journalistic integrity of the Times, especially in the context of Western media's portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A picture of the Al Jazeera Media Institute's logo, on a white background.
Al Jazeera Journalism Review Published on: 7 Jan, 2024