Facebook removes beheading video, reopens debate
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 October 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Facebook removes beheading video, reopens debate, 23 October 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/528b67b68.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 23, 2013
Facebook removed a beheading video late on October 22 just hours after the social networking site decided it would allow such videos to be posted.
There was public outcry after Facebook lifted a temporary ban on posting beheading videos and allowed images of a woman in Mexico being decapitated to be posted.
British Prime Minister David Cameron was among those who voiced opposition to allowing such videos to be seen.
Facebook first justified the posting such videos by saying that the sharing material of graphic content would be permissible if the purpose was to condemn it.
Facebook vowed any images posted for "sadistic pleasure or to celebrate violence" would be removed.
However, the company said on October 22 it had decided to "strengthen" its enforcement of the policy and would use a broader set of criteria to determine what videos were acceptable.
Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
