Facebook's News Restrictions in Palestinian Territories Spark Controversy

Research shows a staggering 77% drop in engagement for Palestinian news organizations on Facebook since the onset of the Israel-Gaza war, raising concerns over potential bias and moderation policies imposed by Meta.

Facebook's restrictions on Palestinian news during the ongoing Israel-Gaza war have drawn attention and criticism, according to a report by the BBC. Since the conflict escalated in October 2023, Palestinian news outlets have experienced a remarkable decline in audience interaction on the platform, with engagement levels reportedly falling by 77%. This drop raises questions about the fairness of Meta's moderating policies, especially in comparison to Israeli news outlets which saw a 37% increase in engagement over the same period.

Palestinian journalists have voiced concerns regarding the possibility of being "shadow-banned," indicating that their content’s visibility is being systematically restricted. Facebook pages for prominent organizations like Palestine TV and Wafa news agency have become crucial information sources during these turbulent times, but their reach has been stifled. Tariq Ziad, a journalist at Palestine TV, noted a 60% decline in the visibility of their posts.

In response to the BBC’s findings, Meta has denied any intentional suppression of Palestinian voices, labeling such implications as "unequivocally false." The company asserts that engagement levels fluctuate based on many factors, including the nature of content being shared— specifically content related to the war.

Further investigation into Meta's policies revealed that internal changes were made to social media algorithms following the conflict's escalation, which some former employees alleged targeted Palestinian users. Leaked documents indicated heightened moderation standards imposed on comments from Palestinian users on Instagram.

Despite the perilous circumstances in Gaza, including the reported deaths of 137 Palestinian journalists since the war began, many journalists feel compelled to persist in documenting the unfolding situation. Photojournalist Omar el Qataa emphasizes the necessity of sharing Palestinian narratives, despite the challenges posed by content restrictions and violence.