“Digital Oppression: How Do Social Media Platforms Impede the Palestinian Narrative’s Access to the World?”

Palestinian content on social media platforms faces major challenges in reaching a global audience due to many procedures followed by these platforms. These methods range from removing posts, suspending accounts, restricting interactive features, shadowbanning, manipulating algorithms, and restricting access to accounts. These measures aim to reduce the spread of Palestinian content and documentation of violations, which hinders freedom of expression and reduces access to real information to the public.

Remove posts
Removing posts is one of the most prominent methods used by social media platforms to combat Palestinian content. These platforms delete content that is related to Palestine or that promotes pro-Palestinian views, whether images, videos, or texts. This measure obstructs the transmission of the Palestinian narrative and documents the violations to which Palestinians are exposed. According to reports from Human Rights Watch and Global Voices, many posts are being removed without clear reasons, raising questions about freedom of expression and fairness in the application of posting policies.

Suspension of accounts
Suspending accounts is another method used by social media platforms to prevent the publication of Palestinian content. Users who post pro-Palestinian content or talk about the violations they face are suspended, preventing them from interacting with the public on these platforms. According to a report from EL PAÍS English, many Palestinian activists and journalists face frequent suspension of their accounts, limiting their ability to make their voice heard and connect with their supporters.

Restrict interactive features
Restricting interactive features includes reducing the ability to comment, like, share, or use features such as live streaming for a specified period of time or permanently. This measure reduces the spread of Palestinian content and limits audience interaction with it. Human Rights Watch and Global Voices report that these restrictions are unjustifiably imposed on Palestinian content, hindering public engagement and debate on Palestinian issues.

Shadow banning
Shadowbanning is the process of reducing the visibility of content without notifying users, resulting in posts related to Palestine being accessed by a smaller audience. This approach prevents activists and users from reaching a wide audience, as the visibility of their posts is dramatically reduced. A report from EL PAÍS English highlights that this practice leads to reduced effectiveness in transmitting information and documenting events related to Palestine.

Manipulating algorithms
Using algorithms to identify Palestinian content and classify it in a way that could reduce its spread or classify it as inappropriate or inflammatory content is another method practiced by social media platforms. This manipulation of algorithms hinders the content from reaching followers and limits its natural spread. According to a report from Global Voices, this approach results in important and necessary content being bulldozed from the digital arena, reducing public awareness of Palestinian issues.

Restrict access to accounts
Restricting account access includes reducing the number of accounts that can follow or interact with Palestinian or pro-Palestine accounts, reducing the organic reach of content. This restriction directly impacts the ability of activists and journalists to build large and diverse audiences. Human Rights Watch reports that this practice is intended to stifle Palestinian voices and effectively prevent the spread of the Palestinian narrative.

The effect of these actions
These measures taken by social media platforms obstruct the transmission of the Palestinian narrative and document violations, which limits freedom of expression and reduces the access of real information to a global audience. These practices are a major challenge for Palestinian activists and journalists seeking to make their voices heard and document what is happening on the ground.

In conclusion, the fight against Palestinian content on social media platforms is a real problem facing freedom of expression. It is necessary for human rights organizations and activists to work to expose these practices and defend the right of Palestinians to express themselves and convey their reality to the world.


*Researcher and consultant in media and digital marketing