Political and social events have an impact on social media users. Board’s consideration of permanently banning Trump on Facebook is unreasonable and violates his right of free speech
（ image from zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/343587683）
Event
Former US president Donald Trump has lashed out at Facebook since he is suspected of spreading fake news and inciting social violence.
Respond
- The board said Facebook will 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 board said the ongoing risk of serious violence justified Facebook’s suspension at the time, but said it “was not appropriate for Facebook to impose an ‘indefinite’ suspension.” The board said Facebook was seeking to avoid its responsibilities by applying “a vague, standard-less penalty” and then referring the case to the board to resolve. “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.
- 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. “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 in a blog entry following the decision.
Thought
The binding verdict marks a major decision for the board, which rules on a small slice of challenging content decisions and which Facebook created as an independent body as a response to criticism over how it handles problematic material.
Source：The University of Sydney，ARIN2610，Week2 Wenjia‘s Discussion board