BBC Uncovers Drastic Engagement Drop for Palestinian Media on Meta Platforms

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

A BBC investigation has revealed that Facebook has significantly restricted the reach of Palestinian news outlets during the Israel-Gaza conflict. Analysis of Facebook data indicates that newsrooms in Gaza and the West Bank have experienced a substantial decline in audience engagement since October 2023. For instance, Palestine TV, with 5.8 million followers, reported a 60% drop in post visibility. Leaked documents also suggest that Instagram, another Meta-owned platform, increased moderation of Palestinian user comments after October 2023. Meta denies deliberately suppressing specific voices, stating that any such implication is "unequivocally false."

The BBC's analysis of 20 prominent Palestinian-based news organizations revealed a 77% decline in engagement after the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023. This decline is particularly notable given that, during periods of conflict, audience engagement with news content typically increases. Journalists at Palestine TV reported that their posts stopped reaching people, indicating a severe restriction on interaction.

These findings have raised concerns about the suppression of Palestinian voices during a critical time when access to information is vital. The increased moderation on Instagram further exacerbates these concerns, suggesting a broader pattern of content restriction across Meta's platforms.

Meta's response to these allegations has been to deny any deliberate suppression of particular voices. However, the data analyzed by the BBC indicates a significant and disproportionate impact on Palestinian news outlets, which cannot be solely attributed to standard content moderation practices.

The implications of these restrictions are profound, as they limit the ability of Palestinian journalists to disseminate information and engage with their audience during a time of crisis. This situation underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in how social media platforms manage content during conflicts, to ensure that all perspectives are fairly represented and accessible.