News
10 - 16 March: Digital Rights Weekly Update

2023-03-16

Check out our weekly report

1.

Facebook Deletes Wattan Network's Page, Violating Freedom Of Speech (English)

MENAFN

Facebook has deleted the page of the Wattan Media Network on Sunday as part of its campaign against Palestinian national content and narratives, in a clear violation of freedom of speech and expression. The deletion of the page has resulted in blocking media content for its 3.6 million followers. The administration of the Wattan Media Network stated that the closure of the network's page and the accounts of its editors by Facebook is part of its campaign against Palestinian national content, which contradicts all international covenants and treaties that guarantee freedom of opinion and expression for all individuals.

 

2.

Meta to Review Moderation of Arabic Word ‘Shaheed’ (English)

Al-Jazeera

Meta‘s oversight board says it will review the moderation of the Arabic word “shaheed”, which means “martyr” in English, because it accounts for more content removals on the company’s platforms than any other single word or phrase. Thomas Hughes, director of oversight board administration, said on Thursday that this was “a complex moderation issue” that “impacts how millions of people express themselves online”.

 

3.

The Reality of Palestinian Women on the Eve of the International Women's Day (English)

PCBS

Digital space is not a safe place for women, as cyber violence against women is an extension and perpetuation of violence against women in the real world. About 10% of currently or ever married women (15-64 years) in Palestine were exposed to some forms of cyber violence through social media networks. Also, 8% of women were exposed to violence through telecommunication (any threatening, blackmailing, or harassing different people or parties through calls or messages). While about 12% of females (18-64 years) have never been married in Palestine were exposed to some forms of cyber violence through social media networks. 8% of females were also exposed to violence through telecommunication (any threatening, blackmailing, or harassing different people or parties through calls or messages).

 

4.

WAFA Monitors Incitement and Racism in Israeli Media (English)

Wafa

Palestine News and Information Agency (WAFA) monitored incitement and racism against the Palestinians and Arabs published by the Israeli media between March 5 and March 11. In its 298 report, WAFA provides monitoring and documentation of inflammatory and racist discourse in the Israeli visual, written and audio media, and some pages on social networking sites of political and legal figures in Israeli society. Israeli newspapers and news websites continue to incite against the Palestinian citizens after the fierce settler attack late last month on the town of Hawara, south of Nablus. The report monitored articles published by "Makor Rishon" and others published by "Israel Hayom", inciting against the Palestinian leadership, legitimizing the attacks on Hawara, and justifying that these attacks came as a result of the killings of settlers.

 

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