Following site complaints, a Facebook spokesperson barry Schnitt has told CNN that certain groups on the world's largest social networking, do harbour 'Nazi ideals'. He continues to to state that Facebook finds Holocaust denial 'repulsive' but will not ban these groups, citing the importance to free speech.He went on to state, "We want Facebook to be a place where people can discuss all kinds of ideas.
Facebook did go on to say that, these specific groups should be banned where the denial of the Holocaust is illegal, nations including Israel, Germany and France to name but a few.
Facebook is indeed a place where hundreds of different groups can discuss different ideologies. A good example of getting caught up in red tape, should Facebook have to ban anti-Jewish groups for their controversial nature, it would have to ban or at least censor any other controversial group which might, or have already, been created.
Source: Business2Press
Just like how I'm sure Facebook doesn't allow sex groups and the posting of pornographic pictures and video ("censoring"
Just to be clear, Facebook or any private website doesn't have a mandate for protecting freedom of speech. The constitution isn't binding on the citizens it is binding on the government.
Just like how I'm sure Facebook doesn't allow sex groups and the posting of pornographic pictures and video ("censoring"
Just to be clear, Facebook or any private website doesn't have a mandate for protecting freedom of speech. The constitution isn't binding on the citizens it is binding on the government.
Granted, but since all groups in Facebook are opt in as opposed to opt out, there's no harm in allowing those groups to exist there for whomever decides to join them.
Facebook isn't really a private site per se, but a portal through which each member can create his/her own little corner of the Web. All Facebook is doing is protecting the rights of people to create their own corner filled with generally unpopular ideas. If one has a right to their own corner, one shouldn't be forced to adhere to popular ideas to get that corner.
One might observe that initially the idea of a US Revolution was itself a generally unpopular idea on both sides of the pond. Beware of promoting censorship lest someone find YOUR ideas unpopular.
You'd never see me join one of these groups, bit I wouldn't suggest denying others the right to do so.
...and that would be an option.
True. But it is highly admirable that citizens and the private sector in general try to uphold the ideals of the Constitution themselves. The Constitution is after all made for the public good.
Just like how I'm sure Facebook doesn't allow sex groups and the posting of pornographic pictures and video ("censoring"
Just to be clear, Facebook or any private website doesn't have a mandate for protecting freedom of speech. The constitution isn't binding on the citizens it is binding on the government.
I'm pretty sure the constitution is binding for all, after all it's a law. Obviously it is not affected by the parts of it that regulate the government, but Im sure parts of it and lots of law regulate certain privates affair. If the discussion and difussion of anti-holocaust ideas was prohibited by law, then facebook would have to do something.
IMO, Facebook have made the sensible decision here. By attempting to silence such groups, all you REALLY do in the long run is give them a louder voice.
Let them spout their idiocy, where it can be shown for the idiocy it actually is. Silence them, and all you REALLY do is make people wonder WHY they were silenced. That COULD end up lending weight to their idiocy...
That humans evolved so much socially is not only because they were able to discuss about 'right' ideas but also the wrong ones.
And forbidding to discuss certain things is plain stupid. Shame on Germany and France. It is against the assence of European Union.
I remember once that an author was arrested in Turkey for recognising the Armenian Genocide of early 20th century. In the same period another Turkish author was arrested in Switzerland for not recognising the Armenian Genocide! In my opinion both counries were just wrong.
Last edited by ricknl on 13 May 2009 - 12:00
Unless you're a totally incompetent hypocrite.
Don't get me wrong. If it were up to me, I'd establish a code of conduct outlining what sorts of material I wouldn't permit on my website. But I can't do that and proclaim free speech at the same time now can I?
I couldn't agree with you more... So very true
So uh, I guess what I'm saying is, be careful about generalizing. As far as Facebook groups, well, as long as they aren't harassing people on Facebook, and are just keeping to themselves, I don't see the risk of offending anyone.
Free speech is very important.
How about a group that believes one gender or race should be subjugated to another?
How about a group that believes their faith has an obligation to destroy non-believers?
Censoring will just drive the ignorant further into the darkness.
I don't think so.
Foolish and misguided, certainly; repulsive, not at all.
Evolution denial, now that is repulsive.
Last edited by Shiranui on 14 May 2009 - 04:39
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