May 11th, 2009
Shame on you, Facebook!
How far ought organizations go towards censoring what’s published on their social networks? Here at ZDNet we have pretty stern view on racist language in our comments section and certainly in our articles. That’s not just smart business. It’s just common sense.
Yet as Michael Arlington points out today, Facebook seems to be lacking that sort of common sense. The social network censors photos of lactating mothers, but allows holocaust denial in the spirit of “open discourse.”
Something’s seriously wrong with that sort of view and Dallas attorney, Brian Cuban, is making it a personal crusade to get Facebook to change its way. The attorney has pointed out that as a private business, freedom of speech doesn’t apply. Holocaust denial violates Facebook’s terms of service and should be stopped.
This isn’t about providing an open forum of ideas. Whether it’s Holocaust denial, gay-bashing, or overt racism there are some things that just don’t belong in social discourse. ZDNet is smart enough to realize that. TechCrunch gets it. Let’s hope Facebook wakes up as well.
David Greenfield is the principal in STAnalytics. a global technology-marketing consultancy where he advises enterprises on emerging technologies. See David Greenfield's full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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| 05/11/09
