Facebook Accused of Limiting Palestinian News Amid Israel-Gaza Conflict
A New BBC Report Highlights Alleged Social Media Bias
Facebook has come under fire for significantly curtailing the reach of Palestinian news outlets during the Israel-Gaza war, as revealed by BBC research. A deep dive into Facebook analytics uncovered a sharp decline in audience engagement for Palestinian media outlets in Gaza and the West Bank since October 2023.
Adding to the controversy, leaked documents suggest Instagram, also owned by Meta, ramped up its moderation of Palestinian user content following the outbreak of the conflict. Meta denies any intentional suppression, calling such claims “unequivocally false.”
Social Media’s Role in a War-Torn Region
With few international reporters granted access to Gaza, often under Israeli military escort, platforms like Facebook became vital for disseminating local news. Pages belonging to Palestinian outlets, including Palestine TV, Wafa News Agency, and Al-Watan News, were lifelines for those seeking updates from the region.
Yet, engagement metrics paint a grim picture. BBC News Arabic analyzed activity on 20 prominent Palestinian news pages over two years, split before and after the pivotal 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks. The data showed an unexpected 77% drop in audience engagement during the conflict—a time when interest would typically surge.
For instance, Palestine TV, boasting 5.8 million followers, saw its post visibility plummet by 60%. “Our posts stopped reaching people,” lamented journalist Tariq Ziad.
Unequal Impact Across Borders
In contrast, Facebook pages of 20 leading Israeli news outlets like Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom witnessed a 37% rise in engagement during the same period. This discrepancy fueled claims of algorithmic favoritism.
Further analysis of Arabic-language outlets based outside Palestinian territories, including Al Jazeera and Sky News Arabia, revealed engagement surging by nearly 100%. This disparity challenges Meta’s earlier explanation that Arabic-language content suffers from automated moderation errors due to limited linguistic expertise.
Meta’s Response
Meta acknowledged implementing “temporary product and policy measures” in October 2023 to address the complexities of the war. While emphasizing its commitment to free expression, Meta justified its actions by citing the designation of Hamas as a dangerous organization under U.S. law and its internal guidelines.
The company maintained that these measures, which disproportionately impacted war-centric content, were reversed—but it declined to specify when.
Leaked Instagram Changes Spark Criticism
Insider accounts shared with the BBC revealed alterations to Instagram’s moderation algorithm shortly after the conflict began. One anonymous Meta employee disclosed internal concerns about bias introduced against Palestinian users.
Meta defended these changes, claiming they aimed to combat a spike in “hateful content” originating from the Palestinian territories. However, the lack of transparency about when these policies were rescinded has raised further questions.
Danger and Determination for Journalists
Despite the risks, Palestinian journalists continue their work under extreme adversity. Since October 2023, at least 137 journalists have been killed in Gaza, yet many remain committed to documenting the conflict.
Photojournalist Omar el Qataa, one of the few who stayed in northern Gaza, emphasized the challenges of sharing raw, graphic content. “We film massacres, but the videos rarely spread,” he said. Still, he remains resolute: “Despite bans, risks, and content restrictions, we must share Palestinian stories.”
A Struggle for Fair Representation
The findings raise crucial questions about the role of social media giants in conflicts. As accusations of bias and algorithmic censorship persist, the balance between freedom of speech and moderation remains at the center of global scrutiny.
