A BBC investigation has revealed that Meta-owned platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, have systematically suppressed Palestinian news and media content during the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.

The analysis showed a 77% drop in audience engagement on 20 Palestinian news pages since the war began on 7 October 2023. The report also highlighted the “shadow banning” of journalists, with Meta restricting visibility under the pretext of addressing “hateful content.”

Leaked documents revealed that Instagram’s algorithm was adjusted to aggressively target Palestinian content shortly after the conflict escalated. While Meta claims these measures have been reversed, Palestinian organisations dispute this, citing ongoing digital violations.

In November 2024, Palestinian data recorded 84 instances of online incitement, including hate speech and calls for ethnic cleansing, as well as over 500 documented digital violations. Since the war began, more than 23,000 violations against Palestinian content have been reported, underscoring the digital suppression accompanying the broader genocide in Gaza.

The investigation has sparked fresh calls for accountability from Meta and greater scrutiny of its role in silencing Palestinian voices during a humanitarian crisis.