Facebook Apologizes for Blocking Palestinian Journalists
The world's largest social network is catching some flak over allegedly censoring Palestinian journalists.
Facebook has reinstated editors and executives at Palestinian news organizations Shehab News Agency and Quds News Network and apologized for suspending their accounts, The Electronic Intifada reports.
As the world's largest social network, Facebook hosts discussions on a host of major world issues, including the struggle between Israel and Palestine. Earlier this month, Facebook found itself at the center of that battle when the company signed a pact with Israel to root out posts that might incite violence. While Israelis were in favor of the deal, Palestinians were concerned about possible censorship.
According to The Electronic Intifada, the ban on Palestinian editors isn't doing much to change their opinion. Editors told the publication they were targeted by Facebook as part of that agreement and not for violating community standards, as Facebook has said.
"The pages were removed in error and restored as soon as we were able to investigate," a Facebook spokesperson told the publication. "Our team processes millions of reports each week, and we sometimes get things wrong. We're very sorry about this mistake."
Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.