A recent analysis by the BBC indicates Palestinian news organizations have experienced a dramatic decrease in engagement on Facebook following the latest conflict, leading to claims of "shadow-banning" and moderated content on Meta platforms.
How Palestinian Journalism Faces Challenges on Facebook Amid Israel-Gaza Conflict
How Palestinian Journalism Faces Challenges on Facebook Amid Israel-Gaza Conflict
New data reveals a significant decline in audience engagement for Palestinian news outlets on Facebook since the onset of the Israel-Gaza war, raising concerns over content suppression.
In the wake of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, Palestinian news outlets are grappling with severe restrictions on their reach on social media platforms, particularly Facebook. Research conducted by the BBC highlights a staggering 77% decrease in audience engagement for these outlets after the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, contrasting sharply with a 37% increase in engagement for Israeli news organizations during the same period.
Meta, Facebook's parent company, has denied accusations of intentionally suppressing Palestinian voices. They acknowledge implementing "temporary product and policy measures" in response to the violence and the designation of Hamas as a dangerous organization. These measures allegedly resulted in a more aggressive moderation of content shared by Palestinian users, particularly on Instagram, which has also come under scrutiny for its shifting algorithms that reportedly target Palestinian comments more stringently.
Palestinian journalists voice concerns about "shadow-banning," a term used to describe the restriction of visibility for online content without a clear explanation. For instance, Tariq Ziad from Palestine TV reported a 60% drop in viewership for their posts, indicating that critical information is not getting the attention it needs during a time of crisis. In stark contrast, prominent Arabic-language news sources based outside the conflict zones, such as Al-Jazeera and Sky News Arabia, experienced a nearly 100% increase in engagement, shedding light on a significant disparity in the handling of news coverage.
The BBC investigation revealed internal documents showcasing Meta's adjustments to their moderation policies, suggesting that an existing bias towards Palestinian content may be influencing visibility and engagement rates. The company attributes these changes to a rise in "hateful content" emerging from the region, although critics argue this response is disproportionate and inherently unfair.
Furthermore, as the conflict escalates, the dangers faced by those reporting from within Gaza have become more pronounced. The deaths of at least 137 Palestinian journalists have been documented since the conflict's escalation, reflecting the immense risks involved in bearing witness to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
Despite the hurdles and potential suppression of their content, many journalists, including Omar el Qataa, remain steadfast in their commitment to sharing Palestinian narratives, emphasizing the importance of diverse voices in the global discourse surrounding the Israel-Gaza war.
Meta, Facebook's parent company, has denied accusations of intentionally suppressing Palestinian voices. They acknowledge implementing "temporary product and policy measures" in response to the violence and the designation of Hamas as a dangerous organization. These measures allegedly resulted in a more aggressive moderation of content shared by Palestinian users, particularly on Instagram, which has also come under scrutiny for its shifting algorithms that reportedly target Palestinian comments more stringently.
Palestinian journalists voice concerns about "shadow-banning," a term used to describe the restriction of visibility for online content without a clear explanation. For instance, Tariq Ziad from Palestine TV reported a 60% drop in viewership for their posts, indicating that critical information is not getting the attention it needs during a time of crisis. In stark contrast, prominent Arabic-language news sources based outside the conflict zones, such as Al-Jazeera and Sky News Arabia, experienced a nearly 100% increase in engagement, shedding light on a significant disparity in the handling of news coverage.
The BBC investigation revealed internal documents showcasing Meta's adjustments to their moderation policies, suggesting that an existing bias towards Palestinian content may be influencing visibility and engagement rates. The company attributes these changes to a rise in "hateful content" emerging from the region, although critics argue this response is disproportionate and inherently unfair.
Furthermore, as the conflict escalates, the dangers faced by those reporting from within Gaza have become more pronounced. The deaths of at least 137 Palestinian journalists have been documented since the conflict's escalation, reflecting the immense risks involved in bearing witness to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
Despite the hurdles and potential suppression of their content, many journalists, including Omar el Qataa, remain steadfast in their commitment to sharing Palestinian narratives, emphasizing the importance of diverse voices in the global discourse surrounding the Israel-Gaza war.
