Facebook’s Trump ban

Category: Technology/Innovations

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. permanently / ˈpɜr mə nənt li / (adv.) – in a way that lasts forever or never changes
    Example:

    Jenny decided to leave Australia and permanently live in France.


  2. oversight / ˈoʊ vərˌsaɪt / (n.) – the act of watching over a process or system to ensure that everything works correctly
    Example:

    The organization’s oversight committee makes sure that all members are following its rules.


  3. handful / ˈhænd fʊl / (n.) – a small amount or number of something
    Example:

    Only a handful of people came to the party.


  4. vague / veɪg / (adj.) – not clearly said or described
    Example:

    I couldn’t build the chair because the instructions were too vague.


  5. take the blame for (something) / teɪk ðə bleɪm fɔr / (idiom) – to accept responsibility for a mistake, bad result, etc.
    Example:

    My manager said that he’ll take the blame for our project’s delay.


Article

Read the text below.

In 2020 and earlier, Donald Trump was the king of social media, using it to spread lies and attack enemies. For years, companies like Facebook and Twitter let him do it. But after a pro-Trump mob attacked the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, social media slammed the door on the U.S. president.


Twitter banned Trump permanently, but Facebook only banned him until its Oversight Board could make a final decision on how long the ban would last.


The Oversight Board is made up of 20 experts, including lawyers and rights activists. Facebook helped choose the members, but the board is independent from the company.


The board began working shortly before the November presidential election and has only made a handful of decisions. The Trump ban, announced May 5, was the most important one and so was closely watched.


There were good arguments for making the ban permanent: Trump broke Facebook’s terms of service — its rules for using the site. There were also arguments for ending the ban: People, especially world leaders, should have a right to free speech.


But on May 5, almost four months after the original ban, the Oversight Board split the difference: It said it agreed with the original ban but insisted that Facebook make a final decision in six months.


Some critics say the board is just kicking the can down the road, but if you read the decision, it makes sense.


The board dinged Facebook for having rules that were too “vague” and for not being clear about why it banned Trump. In a key phrase, the board says Facebook “seeks to avoid its responsibilities.” There’s a lesson here for social media companies: You can’t let other people take the blame for hard decisions. (T)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The Oversight Board dinged Facebook for not being clear about why it banned Trump, but some people say that it was because he broke Facebook’s terms of service. In your opinion, what are acceptable reasons for banning someone from a social media platform permanently? Why? Discuss.
  • Do you think all social media platforms should have their own Oversight Boards? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Facebook helped choose the members of its Oversight Board, but the board is independent from the company. How much power do you think the board should have over Facebook (ex. only offer suggestions, be able to actually stop Facebook from doing things)? Why? Discuss.
  • The board is made up of 20 experts from around the world, including lawyers, rights activists, professors, former politicians, and other figures. If you were to put together an oversight board for a social media site, who would you choose to be on it? Why? Discuss.