UN debates free speech balance as Meta shifts policy
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed his stance on moderating hate speech on social media. He emphasized that such actions do not constitute censorship. His statement was a response to Meta's announcement to end fact-checking on its platforms.
In his post on the X platform, Volker Türk noted that "allowing hate speech & harmful content online has real world consequences."
Allowing hate speech & harmful content online has real world consequences. Regulating such content is not censorship. My Office calls for accountability & governance in the digital space, in line with human rights - Türk wrote on social media.
Meta's decision, announced by Mark Zuckerberg, involves introducing a new moderation system modeled after the X platform. This system aims to eliminate fact-checking and increase the role of users in managing content. Zuckerberg argued that the changes respond to growing public opposition to internet censorship.
Germany watches social media with concern
Friedrich Merz, leader of the German CDU party, expressed concern over the changes being implemented by Meta.
I watch with growing concern as platforms for disinformation, one-sided campaigns, half-truths, agitation, hate, and those excesses we see there are being created - he stated.
According to Merz, the European Union should respond to the actions of various social media platforms.
The Meta corporation, owner of platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, faces the challenge of managing online content. Decisions regarding moderation could have far-reaching consequences for users worldwide.
