Organizer 1: Rachel Wolbers, The Oversight Board

    Speaker 1: Dia Kayyali, Civil Society, African Group
    Speaker 2: Nighat Dad, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
    Speaker 3: Maina Kiai , Civil Society, African Group

    Moderator

    Dia Kayyali, Civil Society, African Group

    Online Moderator

    Dia Kayyali, Civil Society, African Group

    Rapporteur

    Rachel Wolbers, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

    Format

    Round Table - Circle - 90 Min

    Policy Question(s)

    What are the indicators that can be used to differentiate between a post that "glorifies violence" and a post that raises public awareness to an issue? Social media companies have an important role to play in the documentation of human rights abuses, but what concerns should they consider to protect victims? How should social media companies align their content moderation practices with international human rights principles?

    Connection with previous Messages:

    SDGs

    16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

    Targets: This panel will describe how social media can help bring human rights abusers to justice as well as develop the institutions that hold the perpetrators accountable.

    Description:

    Social media can be a powerful tool for documenting human rights abuses, but most companies want to protect the victims and avoid graphic images on their platforms. Striking the right balance can be challenging and aligning with human rights best practices even more difficult. The Oversight Board was created to help Meta answer some of the most difficult questions around freedom of expression online: what to take down, what to leave up, and why. This group of 20 independent experts started accepting appeals from user in October 2020. Two years later, the Board has issued decisions relating to some of the most significant challenges facing Facebook and Instagram on topics ranging from the conflict in Ethiopia to COVID-19 misinformation to President Trump’s accounts after January 6, 2021. The Board analyze content moderation decisions by looking to international human rights laws and principles. This panel will explore how companies should think about allowing people to post documentation of human rights abuses while protecting victims.

    Expected Outcomes

    The panel will look at some of the cases the Board has considered including from Ethiopia, Myanmar, Sudan and Colombia where users have had their speech removed after posting content relating to human rights abuses. We will share best practices and how the Board has approached this challenge from a global perspective.

    Hybrid Format: We would like to host the conversation both in person and online, if technologically possible. The roundtable would provide opportunities for stakeholders to give feedback and ask questions to the panelists. We will take questions from the audience and ensure the roundtable is truly a conversation.

    Online Participation

     

    Usage of IGF Official Tool.