Overview
Facebook and Instagram, owned by Meta, have faced scrutiny for limiting the reach of Palestinian news outlets during the Israel-Gaza war. BBC research indicates a substantial decline in engagement for Palestinian-based media, prompting accusations of unfair moderation practices. Meta has denied deliberately suppressing voices but acknowledged implementing temporary measures.
Sharp Drop in Engagement
Palestinian news outlets, including major platforms like Palestine TV and Wafa News Agency, saw significant reductions in Facebook engagement:
77% Drop: Data showed a steep decline in audience interaction after October 2023.
Palestine TV Impact: With 5.8 million followers, the channel reported a 60% drop in post visibility.
During the same period, Israeli news pages experienced a 37% increase in engagement.
Allegations of Shadow Banning
Palestinian journalists claim their content has been "shadow-banned" on Meta platforms. Shadow banning limits the visibility of posts without notifying the account owner. Meta has denied these claims, stating any engagement drops were unintentional.
Comparison with Arabic News Outlets
To assess the scope of this issue:
BBC analyzed Arabic-language outlets like Al-Jazeera and Sky News Arabia.
These platforms saw an average engagement increase of 100%, indicating the drop in Palestinian media engagement may not be linked solely to Arabic content.
Meta’s Response
Meta attributed the decline in Palestinian media reach to temporary measures:
Balancing Act: Meta cited challenges balancing free speech with content moderation amid a war involving a US-sanctioned group (Hamas).
Policy Updates: Meta said changes were aimed at countering a "spike in hateful content."
Mistakes Acknowledged: Meta admitted errors but rejected claims of deliberate bias.
Leaked Instagram Documents
Internal documents suggest Instagram’s algorithm was adjusted to aggressively moderate Palestinian comments after the October 2023 Hamas attacks:
Increased Moderation: A former employee revealed changes targeting Palestinian users.
Internal Concerns: An engineer reportedly flagged the changes, warning of potential bias.
Meta’s Justification: The company stated the measures were necessary to manage heightened tensions.
Risks for Palestinian Journalists
Despite the challenges, Palestinian journalists continue reporting:
Deaths in Gaza: At least 137 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the conflict began.
Content Limitations: Graphic content and alleged military atrocities often face restrictions, further limiting their reach.
Key Takeaway
Meta’s moderation practices during the Israel-Gaza war have raised questions about fairness and transparency. While the company denies intentional suppression, its measures have disproportionately impacted Palestinian voices, leaving many journalists struggling to share their stories.
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