In a posting Tuesday, Facebook announced an entity called The Oversight Board to give users a way to appeal Facebook’s decisions regarding content posted on Facebook or the Facebook-owned photo-sharing platform, Instagram.
The creation of the board comes as Facebook and other social media giants have been accused of censoring content from Christian conservatives and pro-life advocates.
Many have complained about content that has been censored in one way or another on grounds that they violated Facebook’s community standards. The standards have a strict policy prohibiting “hate speech”
However, Facebook claimed earlier this year that any bias issued against Christian conservatives has been unintentional.
“The content policies we write and the decisions we make everyday matter to people,” Facebook VP of Global Affairs and Communications Nick Clegg said in a statement. “The Oversight Board will make Facebook more accountable and improve our decision-making.”
According to the charter governing the board, the board will “exercise neutral, independent judgment and render decisions impartially.” Additionally, the names of board members will be made public.
“The purpose of the board is to protect free expression by making principled, independent decisions about important pieces of content and by issuing policy advisory opinions on Facebook’s content policies,” the charter explains.
“The board will operate transparently and its reasoning will be explained clearly to the public, while respecting the privacy and confidentiality of the people who use Facebook [and Instagram].”
The board members are tasked with reviewing content enforcement decisions to determine if they are consistent with Facebook’s community standards.
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SOURCE: Christian Post, Samuel Smith
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