General
Philippines accuses Facebook of censoring pro-government content
The Philippines on Tuesday accused Facebook of censoring pro-government content which it said was tantamount to curtailing freedom of speech.
It, therefore, called for new measures to regulate the social media giant to “level the playing field”.
In the Southeast Asian country, President Rodrigo Duterte has been bolstered by establishing a powerful support base on social media platforms like Facebook, a factor that was instrumental in his election victory in 2016.
However, Facebook recently dismantled a network of accounts that originated from China and the Philippines for engaging in “coordinated inauthentic behaviour,” including one that Manila says it supports for its anti-communism stance.
The takedown drew the ire of Duterte, who warned Facebook on Monday that it should explain what its purpose is in his country if it wants to continue to operate.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte would not shut down Facebook, but he wants to understand how it regulates content in the Philippines where 65 per cent of its 107 million people are users.
Platforms like Facebook have become political battlegrounds in the Philippines, however, the Duterte administration has denied allegations that it has allowed the abuse and manipulation of social media by its supporters to harass or discredit opponents.
Roque also questioned Facebook’s partnership with local fact-checkers Rappler and Vera Files, online news organisations that he said were critical of the Duterte government.
“We need new policies to level the playing field on Facebook,” Roque said, adding that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg himself has called for regulation of online content.
Facebook and Rappler did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while Vera Files declined to comment.
Facebook has been under fire in recent years for its lax approach to fake news reports, state-backed disinformation campaigns and violent content spread on its services, prompting calls for new regulations around the world.
Following such criticism, Zuckerberg had said the company would prioritise “trustworthy” news in its feed by identifying high-quality outlets.
NAN
-
News19 hours ago
FCCPC shuts popular Abuja supermarket over price irregularities
-
Politics24 hours ago
Court halts Ganduje’s suspension, restores APC membership
-
News20 hours ago
Police reportedly arrest two Fubara loyalists in Abuja
-
News19 hours ago
Kenya military helicopter crash kills defence chief, senior officers
-
News6 hours ago
Enugu govt plans befitting burial for Mr Ibu, Junior Pope
-
News7 hours ago
Kano police arrest suspects for disrupting inauguration of new commissioners
-
News11 hours ago
NSA laments booming illegal firearms market in North
-
News10 hours ago
Why Bobrisky is not in Kirikiri prison – NCoS official