Facebook announces curbs on internal debate of political issues
>> Reuters
Published: 18 Sep 2020 09:00 AM BdST Updated: 18 Sep 2020 09:00 AM BdST
-
A 3D-printed Facebook logo is seen placed on a keyboard in this illustration taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS
Facebook Inc on Thursday said it would update its internal discussion policies to impose restrictions on employees' ability to debate social and political issues.
A company spokesman said Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg outlined his plans for the curbs to employees on Thursday, with details of the new rules to be announced next week.
"What we've heard from our employees is that they want the option to join debates on social and political issues rather than see them unexpectedly in their work feed," spokesman Joe Osborne said in a statement.
"We're updating our employee policies and work tools to ensure our culture remains respectful and inclusive."
Osborne said the new rules would apply to employee discussions of how executives handle politically sensitive content on Facebook's platforms, which was the subject of intense internal debates this summer.
He said Facebook aimed to ensure that debate of those decisions could still take place in "appropriate channels," without clogging up other work-related discussions.
The company was also strengthening its harassment policy to keep conversation respectful and protect underrepresented employees, he said.
Google likewise this week said it would expand use of moderation on internal message boards, citing "tough global conversations," CNBC reported on Wednesday.
Like other tech companies, Facebook prides itself on fostering open debate inside the company, while taking a hard line against public disclosure of those conversations.
Conversation flows freely on Workplace, an internal social network that resembles Facebook's namesake platform, and Zuckerberg opens himself to employee questions at a weekly Q&A.
But as staffers have become increasingly vocal about their disagreements with Zuckerberg, statements posted on Workplace have leaked to the press and become a headache for the company.
Discussions grew especially heated after June, when Zuckerberg decided not to take action against a post by US President Donald Trump that used a phrase associated with segregation and police brutality.
-
How America's transfer of power played out on TV
-
5 get life term over journo murder
-
Fox settled a lawsuit over its lies, insisting on one condition
-
Journalist Mizanur Rahman Khan dies
-
HBO Max orders ‘Sex and the City’ revival
-
HC orders Ekattor TV to explain Halder interview
-
How Neil Sheehan got the Pentagon Papers
-
Twitter permanently suspends Trump's account
-
From 'see you soon' to call for 'unity': How America's transfer of power played out on TV
-
Five sentenced to life in prison on explosives charges in killing of Khulna journalist Balu
-
Fox settled a lawsuit over its lies. But it insisted on one unusual condition
-
Journalist Mizanur Rahman Khan dies at 54
-
HBO Max orders a ‘Sex and the City’ revival
-
High Court orders Ekattor TV to explain airing PK Halder’s interview
Most Read
- India formally hands over COVID vaccine gift to Bangladesh
- Beximco Pharma seals deal to acquire majority stake in Sanofi Bangladesh
- Biden takes sweeping Day One action on energy, climate, immigration
- ACC arrests PK Halder's lawyer, his daughter in money laundering case
- Biden names Bangladeshi-American Zayn Siddique senior aide to White House deputy chief of staff
- Bangladesh may set up diplomatic zone in Purbachal due to land shortage in Gulshan, Baridhara
- Young model Naaz found dead at home in Dhaka after suspected suicide
- Bangladesh to begin COVID vaccination drive with 20 doses on first day: official
- Fire at India's Serum Institute kills 5, AstraZeneca vaccine output unaffected
- ‘A total failure’: The Proud Boys now mock Trump