Are Facebook and Instagram censoring Palestinian content?

Social media is an integral part of politics and world affairs now; with millions of people voicing their opinions.

Unlike news channels, nothing gets censored, filtered or propagated on social media; or at least that’s what they want you think.

The recent attack on Gaza by the Israeli forces has revealed a darker side of the internet; where millions of voices are controlled, silenced and banned because of their political views.

Facebook and Instagram have been under scrutiny for taking down posts about Palestine; it’s frightening how much control social media has on the greater narrative.

A global cry of help is all that the Palestinians can do to help themselves; however, sadly even that’s not possible anymore.

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter were all accused of removing content that shared information on evictions of Palestinians from Sheikh Jarrah, and many accounts were censored, limited, or shut down altogether.

When Israeli forces stormed Al Aqsa on Friday, the hashtags for the mosque were hidden on Instagram, and content was blocked just as worshippers inside were being terrorized by Israel forces.

Many users reported more than 85% drop on the reach on pro-Palestinian posts; where their regular posting might be reaching millions across the globe, but a post about the brutalities in Gaza is targeting for mere hundreds.

Social media is no longer a reliable source of unfiltered news; instead it’s just become a mere platform for propaganda and capitalism.