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After someone in the UK created a Facebook Fan Page for an accused murderer, Facebook responded by taking the page down. Common sense says this is the right thing to do. That said, is it the best practice?
Obviously Facebook is not a public institution, but censorship moves always set up tricky predicaments when it comes to the freedom of expression of its users. Does it now have to monitor and remove every similar page? Should they take down the page for that same alleged criminal calling for him to be hanged? Should it be involved at all? [Daily Dot]
Image Credit: Prisoner via Shutterstock
Whatever happened to fan sites? They just don’t get the same attention anymore.
I don’t think FB should adhere to free speech in its entirety, especially when it comes to the glorification of convicted criminals. It’s certainly not a breach of anyone’s human rights if a page is removed.
Although, if I’m ever discovered as being a criminal mastermind and godfather to the Albanian mafia, I’d expect many online shrines and tribute pages in my name.
It’s not a public sphere so free speech doesn’t apply. You are on Facebook, you play by their rules.
have run a fair few forums and sites and I always come across the same problem.
people complain about freedom of speech.
well if you want freedom of speech on the internet, then the answer is simple, either find a site that has no rules or shut the hell up and start your own site and be responsible for your own ramblings and the consequences (if any).
so you either play by the site owners rules, or if you don’t like it then leave, but don’t bitch about being kicked of a group or forum when you overstep the owners rules.
I always have the opinion that a heated disagreement is fine, as long as you are not rude or insulting to the other people involved.
hmm, define criminal… speeding ticket? murder? big middle ground there!
you know plenty of MPs have criminal convictions? yet they run the country. would you suggest they arent allowed a FB page?
sure, dont allow shrine type sites for murderers but whats next? remove anyone’s FB page if they are doing some porridge?
If Facebook decides it doesn’t want to allow users to glorify criminals then that’s up to them. This isn’t a matter of public debate, it’s a private company.
The important word here is ‘accused’ – No one is guilty until proven so, therefore the page should stay. Hell there are plenty of online campaigns promoting the innocence of those already convicted, what difference here? My advice – quit ‘Foolsbook’ before its too late…