Facebook, a global platform that claims to champion free speech, has recently struck a devastating blow to press freedom by unjustly penalizing Eye News BD, an independent online news portal in Bangladesh. This punitive action has sparked outrage among journalists and media professionals who rely on Facebook as a vital medium for disseminating news and engaging with audiences.

Eye News BD published a news post covering a peaceful political gathering by Khilafat Majlis, a recognized political party in Bangladesh. The gathering aimed to discuss the country's ongoing issues, including enforced disappearances, murders, and corruption, while advocating for peace and progress. However, Facebook flagged this content for violating community standards, leading to severe consequences for the platform: a monetization ban and a drastic reduction in content reach.

What Was the Post About?
The post included a photo and a statement from Khilafat Majlis leaders, highlighting their concerns about socio-political issues and calling for unity against communal incitement. The post explicitly avoided promoting violence, hatred, or misinformation. It mirrored similar coverage provided by mainstream Bangladeshi media outlets. Yet, Facebook deemed the post inappropriate and issued a community standards violation strike.

This decision raises a critical question: Are independent media outlets being unfairly targeted for sharing legitimate news content?

A Blow to Honest Journalism
Eye News BD, like many grassroots media organizations, operates with a mission to deliver truth to the public. It doesn’t fabricate stories, spread propaganda, or promote divisive agendas. Its team comprises young, passionate journalists who strive to expose corruption, raise awareness about societal issues, and amplify the voices of ordinary people.

This punitive action by Facebook has left the team demoralized. Monetization, a lifeline for sustaining their operations, has been revoked without justification. The platform's decision puts the very existence of Eye News BD and its staff at risk.

A Pattern of Neglect and Mismanagement
This isn’t the first time Facebook’s opaque policies have adversely impacted media houses and content creators. Over the past year, Eye News BD has faced repeated community standards strikes, often without clear explanations or timely resolutions.

Delayed Responses: Appeals against violations are met with automated responses or no resolution at all.
Technical Glitches: At one point, Facebook claimed a “technical issue” prevented the portal from uploading video content for months.

Unfair Comparisons: Pages spreading misinformation seem to thrive, enjoying high reach and engagement, while credible media outlets like Eye News BD struggle with visibility.
Such inconsistencies suggest a lack of accountability and fairness in Facebook's content moderation processes, especially in regions like South Asia.

The Economic Impact
For a media house like Eye News BD, Facebook’s decision is more than just a policy issue; it’s a financial crisis. The outlet depends on the modest revenue generated through Facebook and other platforms to fund its operations, pay its staff, and cover reporting expenses.

Journalism is not just about writing stories; it requires travel, equipment, and countless hours of labor. Stripping away monetization without cause effectively paralyzes small, independent outlets, which are already operating on razor-thin margins.

An Urgent Call for Accountability
Facebook’s actions raise serious concerns about the platform's commitment to press freedom and its treatment of media organizations in developing countries. Independent journalism is the backbone of democracy, and actions like these undermine not only the media but also the public's right to information.

We call on Facebook to:

Review its Content Moderation Policies: Ensure that automated systems do not unfairly target legitimate news content.
Provide Transparent Explanations: Offer detailed feedback on violations to help content creators address any issues.
Restore Monetization and Reach: Reverse the penalties imposed on Eye News BD and other similarly affected outlets.
Engage with Local Media: Understand the unique challenges faced by regional media and work collaboratively to resolve disputes.

The Broader Implications
This issue is not just about Eye News BD; it is about every journalist, content creator, and media organization that relies on platforms like Facebook to share their work. When these platforms exercise unchecked power, they risk becoming gatekeepers of information, limiting what the public can see and know.

As Facebook grows into one of the world’s most influential entities, it must recognize the responsibility it holds. Journalists are not the enemy; they are partners in the quest for truth and accountability. Silencing them through arbitrary actions is a disservice to democracy itself.

Final Appeal
To Facebook: We urge you to reconsider your approach. Recognize the effort and integrity that go into creating content. Understand that your platform is more than a business; it is a lifeline for many media organizations and a beacon of hope for those seeking truth in a chaotic world.

Eye News BD and other media outlets deserve justice. Restore what has been unfairly taken, and let journalism thrive. Only then can we collectively build a future where information flows freely, and the truth prevails.