We have known for quite some time that Facebook has a huge say over how online speech and expression are governed. Users have demanded accountability, and as a result, the company created the Facebook Oversight Board to review and provide transparency about its content moderation decisions.
More recently, it also tried to suppress Australian news in response to proposed legislation that would charge internet companies for distributing news content, prompting outrage a call to #deletefacebook. Facebook ultimately backed down.
The creation of the Oversight Board is a clear indication that Facebook sees itself as a global governor of freedom of expression online. This goes to the heart of how governance is changing as a result of technological progress. Although Facebook’s Oversight Board appears to be a step towards more accountable decision-making, it also highlights the failure of governments to address freedom of expression in online content.
Media platforms constantly…
