CITIZEN JOURNALISTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ARE “HUMANISING” PALESTINIANS
February 28, 2024In recent years, the emergence of citizen journalists on social media has played a pivotal role in reshaping the narrative surrounding the Palestinian people, particularly those in Gaza. Queen Rania of Jordan aptly notes that this new generation of grassroots reporters is being credited with humanizing the plight of Palestinians, offering a perspective that goes beyond mere statistics and headlines.
The visibility of Palestinians in the digital realm is now intricately linked to the devices in their hands. However, Queen Rania highlights a concerning reality: the control over this visibility often lies in the hands of distant entities, such as office buildings and corporate headquarters. Major social media platforms, she asserts, are frequently accused of limiting the reach of Palestinian voices, with some individuals facing suspension or deletion of their accounts for speaking out against what international bodies have deemed potential acts of genocide.
The concept of being shadowbanned or censored on social media platforms adds another layer of complexity to this issue. While it may be challenging to provide concrete evidence of such actions, the lack of transparency erodes trust in these platforms, particularly when content moderation standards appear vague and arbitrary.
From social media activism to global consciousness, their resilience echoes louder than ever, challenging us to confront double standards and advocate for justice. Let’s stand in solidarity and SHARE their voices.
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#FreeGaza #PalestineSolidarity #GazaGenocide #UNRWA #EndGenocide #Palestine #ICJJustice #ceasefirenow #FreePalestine #Interfaith #StandWithUs #Truth #Palestine #Gaza #Humanrights #Israel #فلسطين #اسرائیل #غزة
English Script:
Queen Rania: This new generation of citizen journalists is being credited with humanizing the people of Gaza. Today, the visibility of Palestinians is dependent on their devices, but also on decisions made worlds away in office buildings and corporate headquarters. Many Palestinians and advocates have said they believe major platforms are limiting their reach. Some have had their accounts suspended or deleted after speaking up on what the International Criminal Court of Justice has deemed a plausible genocide. It can be nearly impossible to prove that you have been shadowbanned or censored. Yet it is hard for users to trust platforms that control their content from the shadows based on vague standards. Online and offline blurred standards have never worked for Palestinians’ advantage. Just look at global benchmarks of human rights, international law, universal values of equality and justice. Some of our most basic principles are being rewritten in real time to rationalize an irrational level of violence. Why is the killing of some condemned while the killing of others justified? Why is depriving one child of food a crime but starving one’s millions Gazan children an acceptable outcome of war? The people of Gaza have never been more connected, yet never more isolated. Cut off from food, water, medicine, fuel and everything required to sustain human life. They have continued to reach for their phones to reach for us. Palestinians have long dreamt of telling their story to the world. Today, they are being heard loud and clear. But at what cost? It has taken their mass killing to garner mass support.
