So says a group that works for the company that owns Facebook it was wrong from the site to remove a post with a common protest slogan against Iran’s leader.
In July, Meta moderators said the phrase “marg bar Khamenei” (meaning “death to Khamenei”) was against the rules. But the board said the phrase was often used rhetorically to mean “Down with Khamenei” and did not mean violence was likely to occur.
It also stated what had to be done “to better protect political expression.” The Oversight Board takes over without help meta.
Before the government began restricting access to Meta’s social networks in September, millions of Iranians used them to get news. This was because there were protests all over the country against the church establishment and the Supreme Leader. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
#Iran #Facebook:Oversight Board – established as a “supreme court” for content decisions on Facebook and Instagram – has overturned Meta’s original decision to remove Facebook post against the Iranian government, with the slogan “death to Khamenei” – which predated the current protests #مهسا_امینی pic.twitter.com/8ePTBPdwHello
— sebastian messenger (@sebusher) January 9, 2023
People in the crowd were heard chanting ‘marg bar Khamenei’ in Persian. This is because a young woman who was arrested by the vice squad for wearing her hijab “inappropriately” died while in custody.
The government called the protests “riots” and used deadly force to stop them. The Human Rights Activists News Agency says at least 519 protesters have been killed and 19,300 imprisoned so far (HRANA). After what the UN called “unfair trials based on coerced confessions,” four people were put to death.
“In the Iranian context, the board believes that Meta should do more to respect freedom of expression and allow the use of rhetorical threats.” according to the ruling of the Facebook Oversight Board.
Have a look at:
“The Iranian government systematically suppresses freedom of expression and digital spaces have become an important forum for dissent. In such situations, it is essential that Meta supports user voices.”
It said Meta should have known there would be issues with the anti-government protests on Iran’s National Day of Hijab and Chastity last July and told moderators not to remove content with the slogan “marg bar Khamenei”.
“As this case shows, the failure to do so led to the silencing of political expressions aimed at protecting women’s rights.” The board said it had made recommendations “to better protect political expression in critical situations, such as those in Iran, where historic, widespread protests are violently suppressed”.
Meta takes sides against repression in Iran: slogan “death to Khamenei” allowed on Facebook
The opposition to the protest in Iran is increasingly mobilizing social networks.
The position of the platform is clear One half that runs Face’s social networking services… pic.twitter.com/8jOffdyGpT
— VESA Channel (@ChannelVesa) January 9, 2023
It also asked Meta to add to its rules about violent content the criteria that would be used to decide when threats against heads of state could be made in a threatening manner.
After Russia invaded Ukraine last year, users in some countries on Meta were able to briefly call for the death of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Two days later, after people found out, the waiver was taken away… Just follow us on Lee Daily for more news like this.
Janice has been with businesskinda for 5 years, writing copy for client websites, blog posts, EDMs and other mediums to engage readers and encourage action. By collaborating with clients, our SEO manager and the wider businesskinda team, Janice seeks to understand an audience before creating memorable, persuasive copy.