Foreword
Free speech leads to controversy; Trump rages,” These corrupt social media companies must pay a political price, and never again be allowed to destroy and decimate our Electoral Process.” This is why?
- Control of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s account
Former US president Donald Trump has lashed out at Facebook after the social media company’s independent oversight board upheld a decision to ban him from the platform for the moment. However, the committee also said Facebook would have to “reassess” the indefinite ban it gave to Mr. Trump within six months. While upholding the suspension, the board faulted Facebook in a statement for the way it made the decision. The committee said the ongoing risk of serious violence justified Facebook’s rest at the time but said it “was not appropriate for Facebook to impose an ‘indefinite’ suspension.” The board said Facebook sought to avoid its responsibilities by applying “a vague, standard-less penalty” and then referring the case to the board for resolution.
- Trump’s counterattack
“Indefinite penalties of this sort do not pass the international smell test,” oversight board co-chair Michael McConnell said in a conference call with reporters. In response to the board’s decision, Mr. Trump released a statement accusing social media companies of violating his free speech. “What Facebook, Twitter, and Google have done is a total disgrace and an embarrassment to our Country,” Mr. Trump said. “These corrupt social media companies must pay a political price and must never again be allowed to destroy and decimate our Electoral Process.” Facebook said they would consider the recommendation to review the indefinite ban.
- The reason why the account is closed
“We will now consider the board’s decision and determine an action that is clear and proportionate,” Nick Clegg, Facebook vice-president of global affairs and communication, published a blog entry following the decision. Mr. Trump’s social media accounts were suspended on January 6 for several posts he made leading up to the US Capitol insurrection. The decision marked the first time Facebook had blocked a current president, prime minister, or head of state over a post they had made. “We love you. You’re exceptional,” he said to the rioters in the first post.
In the second, he called them “great patriots” and told them to “remember this day forever.” The board said those violated Facebook’s rules against praising or supporting people engaged in violence. At the time of the suspension, Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said in a post that “the risks of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great.”
BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57018148
- Challenging decisions
The company later referred the case to its recently established board, which includes academics, lawyers, and rights activists, to decide whether to uphold the ban or restore Mr. Trump’s accounts. The binding verdict marks a significant decision for the board, which rules on a small slice of challenging content decisions and which Facebook created as an independent body to respond to criticism over how it handles problematic material.
Anqi Cai、Reika Azuma、Yuanyi Tang、Junru Wei、Jiaxi Lu
