How Meta’s Policies Are Silencing Palestinian Media While Amplifying Israeli Voices

Allegations of media suppression have surfaced as Meta’s social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram, face accusations of limiting Palestinian media reach while bolstering Israeli content during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Data from BBC and other sources reveal a striking contrast in audience engagement, raising questions about digital censorship and freedom of speech.

Palestinian Media Faces a Sharp Decline Since the onset of the Hamas-Israel conflict in October 2023, Palestinian news platforms have faced a dramatic decline in engagement on Facebook. Data from BBC’s analysis of 20 Palestinian media institutions, including Palestine TV, Wafa news agency, and Al-Watan News, revealed a 77% drop in audience interaction compared to the previous year. Notably, Palestine TV, which boasts 5.8 million followers, saw a 60% reduction in post reach.

Shadow-Banning Allegations and Algorithmic Changes Journalists from Palestine TV and other media houses have raised concerns about “shadow-banning”—a practice where user content is hidden without formal notice. Internal documents leaked by former and current Meta employees support these claims. The leaks reveal that Instagram, also owned by Meta, introduced tougher moderation of Palestinian comments following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. One insider confirmed that algorithmic changes made content moderation “more aggressive” towards Palestinian users.

Engagement Surge for Israeli Media and Arabic Outlets In stark contrast, Israeli media experienced a surge in engagement. Analysis of 20 Israeli media pages, including Yediot Ahronot, Israel Hayom, and Channel 13, showed a 37% increase in interactions. Meanwhile, Arabic-language media outlets like Al Jazeera and Sky News Arabia witnessed a 100% rise in engagement.

Meta’s Response to Suppression Allegations Meta’s official stance is that the claims of deliberate suppression of Palestinian voices are “unequivocally false.” The company stated that its actions, which included temporary changes to moderation policies, were part of a broader strategy to counter “hateful content” linked to the ongoing conflict. Meta maintains that its policies seek to balance free speech with regulatory obligations, given that Hamas is a U.S.-designated terrorist organization and classified as a “dangerous organization” under Meta’s guidelines.

The Role of Limited Press Access in Gaza Compounding the issue is the limited access to Gaza for foreign journalists, who can only enter the region under the escort of the Israeli military. This restriction has heightened reliance on Palestinian social media pages as primary sources of information. As engagement with these outlets decreases, questions arise about the role social media platforms play in shaping public perception and controlling narratives.

The stark contrast in engagement statistics for Palestinian and Israeli media during the ongoing conflict has raised concerns about censorship and freedom of speech on Meta’s platforms. While Meta insists that its moderation policies are neutral and driven by security needs, leaked documents and user testimonies suggest otherwise. The broader implications of these developments highlight the growing power of social media giants to influence the information landscape in times of conflict.