Facebook's Restrictions Impact Palestinian News Outlets Amid Ongoing Conflict

An analysis by BBC indicates that since the onset of the Israel-Gaza conflict, Palestinian news organizations on Facebook have seen a staggering 77% drop in audience engagement, contrasting markedly with increasing engagement for Israeli outlets. Meta disputes claims of intentional bias, citing efforts to balance free speech with safety concerns linked to Hamas.

Facebook has come under scrutiny for its handling of news from Palestinian territories during the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, according to research conducted by the BBC. Analysis of Facebook data has shown a dramatic decline in audience engagement for Palestinian news outlets post-October 2023, with reports of an alarming 77% decrease in interactions following Hamas’s attacks on Israel.

The role of social media in disseminating news has become crucial, as few foreign reporters are permitted access to Gaza without Israeli military escorts. News organizations such as Palestine TV and Wafa have become essential sources for updates, yet these platforms have experienced severe restrictions in visibility. Reports from Palestine TV cited a staggering 60% drop in the reach of its posts.

Concerns raised by Palestinian journalists suggest a potential "shadow-banning" of their content, as data comparisons indicate that Israeli news outlets have seen their engagement rates increase by nearly 37% despite also reporting on conflict-related issues. This disparity raises troubling questions about the fairness of Meta’s moderation policies.

Meta has previously faced accusations of not moderating content impartially, particularly due to a shortage of Arabic-speaking moderators, which has led to misinterpretations of benign phrases as threatening. An independent 2021 report suggested that this issue was unintentional, stemming from a lack of cultural understanding within Meta’s moderation team.

Further analysis of other Arabic-language news sources revealed a contrasting trend, with outlets like Sky News Arabia and Al-Jazeera experiencing significant engagement growth, highlighting a troubling inconsistency. In response to the BBC's findings, a Meta spokesperson reaffirmed the company's commitment to free speech while emphasizing the complexities involved in moderating content related to designated terrorist groups.

Internal documents acquired by the BBC reveal alterations to Instagram’s algorithms affecting Palestinian users, with heightened moderation implemented under the pretext of mitigating hate speech. These changes, perceived by insiders as biased, were said to exacerbate the challenges faced by Palestinian media.

As the conflict continues, Palestinian journalists report on the dire dangers posed by the ongoing violence, with over 130 colleagues confirmed killed. Despite significant risks and restrictions, there’s a collective determination among them to persist in sharing their narratives. "Even with the content bans and dangers, we must keep sharing Palestinian content," asserts Omar el Qataa, a Gaza-based photojournalist. This ongoing suppression of information underscores the urgent need for equitable media access and representation, particularly amidst such turbulent times.