Digital Orientalism: #SaveSheikhJarrah and Arabic Content Moderation

Abstract

In this paper, we zero in on Arabic content moderation. We identify the systemic policies that are being administered by social media companies, whether designed within the technology or implemented through policies. While there have been issues with other platforms, we focus our analysis and argument in this paper on Facebook as the most egregious violator, with far reaching systemic problems and impact on Arab and pro-Palestine content. Second, we identify the various formats of digital repression of speech regarding the rights movement supporting Palestinians online. Third, we look at the countermeasures users have employed to overcome this repression as part of a greater movement for accountability from platforms in the Arab region. In this paper, we contend that failures and subjectivity of platform governance has given rise to what we call a new orientalism in the digital sphere, or digital orientalism. Orientalism is the stereotypical and discriminatory lens by which western nations view the Middle East and North African region. Western countries have used this lens to assert dominance and colonialism, either through war, media, governance and policies. We argue that this framework now defines the policies and actions Western social media companies use to disadvantage Internet users in this region.

Keywords: Content Moderation, Censorship, Palestine, Arabic, Middle East and North Africa, Facebook, Social Media