Facebook to Designate Journalists as 'Involuntary' Public Figures for Protection

Regulation of Violent Posts Targeting Journalists, Including 'Murder Threats'

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Facebook, the world's largest social networking service (SNS) company, has announced a policy to designate journalists and social activists as involuntary public figures and strictly regulate various hateful posts and violence against them.

Major foreign media reported on the 13th (local time) through interviews with senior Facebook officials that Facebook plans to change its approach to respond to various violence against journalists and "human rights activists," and is expected to implement protective measures equivalent to those for ordinary users.

Until now, Facebook has allowed critical posts from users about public figures it designates, such as politicians and celebrities.

Facebook separates public figures and private individuals and applies different guidelines to each. For example, in the case of death threats against celebrities, Facebook has allowed such posts if the individual is not directly tagged. This differs from the outright ban on death threats against ordinary individuals.

Facebook's announcement to provide protective measures equivalent to those for ordinary users to journalists and social activists means that all death threats against them will also be prohibited.

So far, Facebook has reviewed cases individually and designated certain individuals as involuntary public figures.

Earlier, Facebook deleted all posts mocking or celebrating the death of George Floyd, which sparked large-scale anti-racism protests, starting earlier this year. The company explained that this was because Floyd was designated as an involuntary public figure.

Facebook stated that it plans to expand various violence regulation measures against public figures in the future, especially strengthening protections for women, people of color, and sexual minorities.

It also announced plans to ban posting synthetic photos that cause sexual shame on public figures' profiles and posting provocative comments.

Recently, Facebook has been under pressure, including a U.S. Senate hearing, following whistleblower allegations that it neglects hateful and violent posts on its service and "prioritizes profit over people."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.