Facebook will crack down on hate speech.
Facebook will crack down on cyber bullying and hate speech in response to a recent movement from women’s rights activists, The Guardian reports.
The social media company made a statement on Tuesday pledging accountability and determination to diminish the levels of offensive content posted on their website. The call to action came after a week-long crusade by Women, Action, and the Media: The Everyday Sexism Project, attacked Facebook for allowing users to post content that tries to humorously depict or endorse rape, domestic violence, and other serious issues.
The distasteful content in question included memes and photographs depicting everything from a callous joke about the Rihanna/Chris Brown domestic abuse scandal to a of a man gagging a woman with a rag, supposedly endorsing rape. Although Facebook initially gauged such content to be offensive but not harmful, they admitted that their evaluations were made “using outdated criteria,” and outlined a plan to correct such oversights in the future.
So what can users expect to see change? For one thing, Facebook agreed to review their guidelines and make sure that such “outdated criteria” is revamped to better fit the current social media climate. In addition, Facebook’s moderators will be given more comprehensive training in recognizing what is and is not acceptable content, and users will be given more transparent lines of communication to voice their concern over offensive Facebook blasts. Finally, posters and Facebook operators alike will be held more accountable for the content that graces their profiles and webpages, with the end goal a more friendly and accepting online environment for all.
The members of Women, Action, and the Media were pleased with the success of their campaign, and credited Facebook for doing the right thing.
“We hope that this effort stands as a testament to the power of collaborative action,” said Jaclyn Friedman, the executive director for the activist group.
Leave a Reply