Good Karma Socials

Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have become central to how people consume information, form opinions and engage with global events. It has been particularly powerful for Palestinians sharing their stories during the ongoing genocide, challenging biased narratives and providing a platform for voices often marginalised in mainstream media.

One notable example is Motaz Azaiza, a Palestinian photojournalist from Gaza. His raw, unfiltered images and firsthand accounts offered a stark contrast to the often sanitised or one-sided portrayals in traditional media. Through his lens, the world witnessed the human cost of the conflict, from the devastation of neighbourhoods to the resilience of the Palestinian people. Azaiza’s work not only informed but also mobilised global audiences, amplifying the voices of those affected and challenging prevailing narratives.

The unprecedented visibility of these firsthand accounts threatened the narratives promoted by Israel, and in response, reports of state-sponsored content campaigns and Meta’s shadow banning began to emerge, revealing a concerted effort to suppress Palestinian voices online. Evidence suggests that the line between influence and manipulation is increasingly blurred. Reports have emerged detailing how Israel has leveraged Meta platforms to promote its perspective on the ongoing Israeli/Palestinian conflict, raising serious ethical questions.

Systemic Censorship and Content Suppression

According to an article published by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, data reveals that Meta complied with 94% of takedown requests issued by the Israeli government since October 2023, resulting in the removal or suppression of over 30 million posts critical of Israel or supportive of Palestinians. This level of compliance goes beyond isolated moderation decisions, suggesting coordinated efforts to shape public discourse.

In addition to this, a BBC investigation found that engagement on the Facebook pages of 20 Palestinian media outlets dropped by 77%, while Israeli media engagement increased by 37% over the same period. These numbers indicate not only suppression but also an asymmetry in how different voices are amplified or silenced.

Ethical Implications

This pattern raises critical questions about transparency, bias and accountability. When state actors influence what content is visible, the public’s ability to access diverse perspectives is undermined. Users are left with a filtered reality, potentially shaping perceptions, attitudes and even policy discussions based on incomplete or biased information.

Further complicating the ethical landscape, The Guardian published investigations that showed that Meta platforms have hosted ads from pro-Israel entities crowdfunding for Israeli Defense Force equipment, including drones. While advertising is a key revenue stream for Meta, hosting content that funds military operations or conflict-related activities raises serious moral and reputational concerns.

Moving Forward: The Need for Ethical Oversight

As social media continues to play a pivotal role in global communication, platforms must implement stronger safeguards to prevent political manipulation, ensure transparency and protect freedom of expression. Independent oversight, clear policies on government content requests and accountability for advertisers are essential to maintaining trust and ethical standards.

Ultimately, these cases serve as a reminder: in the digital age, influence is powerful, but power without ethics can distort truth and harm communities worldwide.

While we can’t control Meta’s policies or how platforms choose to amplify or suppress content, what we can do is act with integrity, create content that reflects our values, and use social media responsibly to connect and inform. At Good Karma Socials, that means putting transparency, ethics and genuine connection at the heart of everything we do, so our work leaves a positive impact in a world where influence is powerful and easily misused.

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