Facebook is Fighting a Losing Battle Against Hateful Content in Myanmar
 |
| Digital Trends |
Since the regime change, internet usage in the recently renamed nation has been blossoming, and Facebook has reaped the benefits - there are now more than 10 million users in Myanmar. With that growth has come a huge influx of new content for them to govern, and that's where things have been difficult.
In particular, they've found that many Burmese posts have contained derogatory complaints and statements about the Rohingya. The Rohingya are a native, largely Muslim group who have languished under ever-increasing persecution. In 2015, thousands of them fled to neighbouring nations but those who remained have been subjected to a military crackdown so brutal that some are beginning to refer to it as genocide.
This hatred has been fuelled by racist propaganda, some of which has been spreading on Facebook. The company have been trying to pinpoint and blacklist certain terms in order to combat this, but in so doing they've also blocked posts with words which even vaguely relate to the blacklisted ones. As a result, a great deal of perfectly innocent content has been taken down.
One of the most significant criticisms against Facebook has been that it's given a platform to extremists. Fake news is one thing, but hate speech can be used as a recruitment tool, and places like Myanmar which are already so rife with mass violence are particularly susceptible. Facebook moved into Myanmar very quickly in a bid to secure an emerging market, but they did so without considering the damage that a large scale social media platform could do during times of conflict, it would seem.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, Facebook have been employing young people as content moderators on a massive scale, and at very low wages. This not only undercuts their apparent faith in using machine learning to deal with the issue, but demonstrates a lack of concern for fair pay. This juxtaposition of corner cutting and wavering control is beginning to seriously compromise Facebook's integrity.
Callum is a film school graduate who is now making a name for himself as a journalist and content writer. His vices include flat whites and 90s hip-hop. Follow him @Songbird_Callum
Contact us on Twitter, on Facebook, or leave your comments below. To find out about social media training or management why not take a look at our website for more info: TheSMFGroup.com
Facebook is Fighting a Losing Battle Against Hateful Content in Myanmar
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Rating:
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Rating:
Unknown
Keeping you up to date on social media, digital marketing, apps, news & reviews. Social media, and digital marketing as a whole, are rapidly and constantly changing, adapting to new developments at an ever increasing rate. Just keeping up to date can be a nightmare. Our team of writers know their field, and keep an ear to the ground. We aim to keep you informed of all recent developments in the online world, and teach you a little something along the way. So whether you just want to stay connected, or gain some knowledge for yourself, the Social Songbird will keep on singing! More articles are posted every day so keep checking back! Join the discussion on Twitter - #SocialSongbird Or contact us directly - @SocialSongbird_
Entrepreneur, international speaker on Social Media Marketing. First one in the UK to write and speak in conferences about Twitter as a marketing tool. Consultant to Corporate Companies, Government Organizations, Marketing Managers and Business Owners.
Aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. He hopes to one day drop that 'aspiring' prefix. He started as a writer and soon after he was made Executive Editor and Manager of the team at Social Songbird. A position he held for 5 years.
Adrienne is a passionate writer with experience in editing, content creation, and social media marketing. She’s a lover of animals, helping others improve their writing, and 2000s pop culture.
Musician, audio technician, professional tutor and a Cambridge university English student. Interested in writing, politics and obsessed with reading.
Recently graduated with a BA in English Literature from the University of Exeter, and he is about to study an MA in Journalism at the University of Sheffield. He is an aspiring journalist and novelist; in his free time he enjoys playing chess, listening to music and taking long walks through nature.
Lucy is an undergraduate BSc Politics and International Relations student at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Anna Coopey is a 4th year UG student in Classics at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She is a keen writer and researcher on a number of topics, varying from Modern Greek literature to revolutionary theory.
Ellie is a recent BA English Literature graduate and aspiring publisher with a passion for writing. Her favourite pastimes include reading and shopping.