In the last 48 hours, we have been copping some flack for our report on the asylum seeker fined for daring to try and kill himself while in detention on Nauru.
Not from sane, normal people. But from the closet (and not so closet) racist keyboard warriors who leap all over anything on social media that gives them a chance to peddle their vile crap. Sadly, we have plenty of those in Australia like everywhere else, despite our very successful multi-cultural society.
They seem to be most common on Facebook, where they lurk in the shadows like ravening beasts hidden in the electronic undergrowth with gore dripping from their bared teeth, waiting to snatch any unsuspecting sane, normal person that wanders by.
What is interesting, though, is Facebook seems to let them do it unchallenged by any sort of meaningful moderation.
Check this out from “M”. We have deleted some of his rant, on the basis that it’s just plain ignorant. The stupid is strong in him. And we’ve deleted his name, because he doesn’t need publicity from us, and he might be a bona fide nutter with an AK 47 in the garage. Yes, that’s what society has come to. But we’ve left in the bits we complained to Facebook about:
Facebook claims not to tolerate racism, and hate speech. Interestingly, though, calling an entire race “Arab scum” (not relating to any actions taken by any Arabs, at all, just a blanket comment about every Arab in the world) does not contravene Facebook’s Community Guidelines.
Read that again. We have the records of the complaint made and Facebook’s response, which we strongly suspect is automated by some racism bot somewhere ion the ethersphere.
Well, we’re sorry, Facebook, but “Arab scum” and “Fuck the Arabs” SHOULD contravene your Community Guidelines. Unless you have some rational reason why not? Or you could simply scrap your Community Guidelines as meaningless.
So how about this? These are part of those much-touted Community Guidelines:
Facebook removes hate speech, which includes content that directly attacks people based on their:
- Race,
- Ethnicity,
- National origin,
- Religious affiliation,
- Sexual orientation,
- Sex, gender, or gender identity, or
- Serious disabilities or diseases.
But this, apparently, did not offend those guidelines. Again, details are removed to protect the guilty.
So come on, Facebook, explain these apparent discrepancies. What is the procedure to review reports? And how on earth can you justify these decisions?
We think your users – and customers – should be told.
Well, This Is What I Think 
Dynamite Yolly — this subject should be pursued until Facebook faces up to what amounts to a “We don’t care” attitude that is going to blow up all over its collective face. Any way I can be of help to you about this other than to say that Facebook’s response is stupid, blind, arrogant and pitiful?
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You could try writing to FB. Good luck finding out where …
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They have an office in George St, Sydney.
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(Sorry, I left out the word “inept”.
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This is, of course, outrageous, if that is not too weak a word. I personally consider Facebook outrageous, am not on it, and will never be on it. Just in case I weaken in this resolve (not b. likely), I have a folder in my bookmarks or reasons to avoid Facebook. This blog post in #10, but then I’ve only been collecting a year or so. I am so sorry you have been subjected to this trash.
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I find the platform generally useful. But it also houses all sorts of horrid people within its walls. And don’t worry about us – broad Aussie shoulders, donchaknow.
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Good grief – sorry you’ve had to go through that Yolly, I’m very glad you have broad Aussie shoulders! Facebook is frequently exposed as allowing comments from people that are ‘sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigots’ (9-5).
None of the media seem to have any care for real people and even appalling threats of violence are allowed on Twitter, Facebook etc – look at what has happened in the UK with a) a woman who wanted to keep a woman on paper money here and b) Dr Mary Beard (mainly because an intelligent woman with a face that isn’t conventionally ‘telegenic’ dared to appear on television) – let alone those trying to stop crimes like harassment, stalking, assault, rape and murder – it makes any decent person looking at it ill!
I sincerely hope that Facebook does listen to you – I wouldn’t go near them with a ten foot pole as things are at present, their ‘guidelines’ are more honoured in the breach than in the observance. Disgustingly hypocritical.
BTW – is the person in the first quote actually advocating that people should look after the Aborigines above all others? No? Just white Australians? Ah.
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We’ll certainly not the “Arab scum” anyhow …
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