Demand to remove ban on word ‘martyr’ from META

The supervisory board of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has demanded that the company lift its ban on the Arabic word ‘Shaheed’ (martyr in English).
Foreign news agency Reuters reported that the META-funded board (which operates independently) said after a year-long review that the current ban on the word ‘martyr’, Which the company said could be used to define terrorism, unnecessarily suppressing the freedom of expression of millions of users.
The board advised META that posts containing the word martyr should be removed only if they are associated with clear signs of violence or if they violate other META rules.
The board said Meta’s current policy was unnecessary and the company should end the ban.
The decision comes after years of criticism over how Meta handles content related to the Middle East.
A 2021 study commissioned by Meta itself found that the company’s approach had negative human rights impacts on Palestinian consumers’ rights to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, political participation and non-discrimination. , which resulted in many challenges for Palestinians to share their experiences, information and perspectives.
It added that Meta’s policies and measures regarding Arabic content were very strict, limiting or removing Arabic content on the platform.
The board said that since the word ‘martyr’ is commonly used by both Muslims and non-Muslims in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, removing the ban on its use risks removing material posted globally. will decrease.
In 2020, Meta reviewed the policy regarding the word ‘martyr’, but the company could not reach a decision on how to proceed, so it sought the board’s intervention last year.
Meta has come under fire since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in October, with many users having pro-Palestinian content removed or profiles suspended on Meta’s platforms, particularly Facebook and Instagram. They were complaining about leaving.
“The reality is that the communities most affected by current policy, such as people living in Gaza and Sudan, are also facing censorship,” said board co-chairman Thoring Schmgren.
He said the board is particularly concerned that Metta’s approach affects journalism and civic discourse because media organizations and commentators may avoid discussing certain institutions or topics that they believe to be the case. Meta will remove the content of
A Meta spokesperson said the company will review the feedback provided by the board and submit a response within 60 days.