Echoicide: Who decides which truths survive in Gaza?
Summary
During the intensive Israeli siege on Gaza in October 2023, Palestinian journalists used social media to share what was happening on the ground. However, platforms like Instagram have removed or limited posts showing Palestinian casualties and alleged war crimes, making it harder for these stories to reach a wide audience.Key Facts
- In October 2023, Israel intensified its siege on Gaza, limiting food, water, and foreign journalists.
- Palestinian journalists and citizens shared videos and images of the conflict on social media.
- Human Rights Watch found that Instagram removed some posts showing Palestinian victims, citing violations of violence and incitement rules.
- Social media platforms may also reduce recommendations or limit the reach of posts related to Gaza, a practice called "echoicide."
- Journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, with over 1.1 million Instagram followers, reported that his posts about Israeli soldiers and Gaza were removed or shadow-banned (hidden from most users).
- Some of Shihab-Eldin’s content was used as evidence in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
- Another journalist, Leila Warah, described how her Instagram account was suspended multiple times during the war.
- The suppression of posts can lead to self-censorship, reducing the public’s awareness and impact of the conflict.
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