Facebook’s rise in popularity in Myanmar came at a time of tremendous political and societal change in the Southeast Asian nation which fueled and enabled the platform’s growth. The service, which was never adopted by Telenor or Oooredoo, was quietly shuttered in Myanmar due to government regulation changes the following year. Garlick also explained how content was reviewed after it was flagged by users who found it to be offensive, though it was unclear how many people fluent in Burmese language were doing this work. In written responses to follow-up questions from Senator Leahy, the company stuck to the familiar, evasive line. The social network exploded in Myanmar, allowing fake news and violence to consume a country emerging from military rule. “Facebook wasn’t staffed to deal with a crisis and it sounds like they still aren’t,” the former US tech official says. Zuckerberg said Facebook had a three-pronged approach to address issues in Myanmar— “dramatically” ramp up its local language content reviewers, take down accounts of individuals and groups that generate hate speech, and introduce products specially designed for the country, though he offered few details on what these would entail. A group of six civil society organizations said in a scathing open letter to Zuckerberg that the messenger incident showed an “over-reliance on third parties, a lack of a proper mechanism for emergency escalation, a reticence to engage local stakeholders around systemic solutions, and a lack of transparency.”. Not Now. A former senior government official said Zaw Htay was the “focal person,” of Facebook’s dealings with the country’s government. They are engineering companies and they don’t like spending money where there is not a clear [return on investment].”. The wars that have riled the country for decades show no signs of abating, and vitriol against the Rohingya continues even as the country makes preparations for their return. “This is where the culpability comes in, this was made clear at numerous points along the way. Among officials whose Facebook data is being sought were Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of Myanmar's armed forces. The journalist, fearing for their safety, left the country that month and has not returned. “All internet companies are like this to some degree, but especially Facebook because it is so leanly staffed on the government relations side. Soon, a decision was made by the President’s Office to temporarily block access to Facebook in Mandalay, Zaw Htay says. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. Many of the posts, he says, compared Muslims to dogs or other animals. Madden, the tech hub founder, flew to California in May 2015 to speak to Facebook executives about Myanmar’s massive growth in online users and the rise of Buddhist nationalism, he also delivered a stark message to Facebook. One … In a recent briefing in Washington, DC, one longtime Myanmar expert described the adoption of Facebook that followed this sudden uptick in connectivity as the fastest in the world. One of its most public stumbles came four months after the meeting in May, when it began to remove posts and suspend users for posts including the term “kalar,” a Burmese word often used as a slur for people of South Asian origin. "When the media spotlight has been on there has been talk of changes, but after it passes are we actually going to see significant action?” Madden asks. Community See All. The decision was the right one, he says, because it put a stop to the clashes. Why, the legislators wanted to know, hadn’t the company responded sooner to issues raised there. He served more than eight years of his 14-year sentence, passing the time by speaking to spiders and other insects that crawled through his cell. All rights reserved. “That’s not 20/20 hindsight. Last month, a large delegation of Facebook officials made a high-profile trip to Myanmar. A panel discussion had been hastily arranged after the riots with the help of Tun, Zaw Htay, and others. It said it remains "committed to working with our UK industry partners to find ways to support journalism and help the long-term sustainability of news organisations". AFP. This was clear well before 2017.”, It was not just domestic groups who were raising concerns. The UN lambasted Facebook’s conduct in the crisis, which the global body says "bears the hallmarks of genocide,” by serving as a platform for hate speech and disinformation, saying Facebook had "turned into a beast.”. Building A3, Wing B, Star City, … The historical record is not encouraging.". Many among the crowd had seen the Facebook post, which was widely shared including by a Mandalay-based ultra-nationalist monk named Wirathu, who has a massive following across the country. As internet connectivity expanded, so did social media. This includes hiring additional Burmese speakers to review content, improving reporting tools, and “developing local and relevant content” to educate users on how to best use the platform. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a Page. He quickly returned to covering protests and jailings of other journalists while doling out cigarettes to fellow reporters in the informal Yangon press corps. 13 December 2020. Last year, a public opinion survey from the International Republican Institute found that 38 percent of people polled got most, if not all, their news from Facebook. 14,288 people like this. While well intentioned, the process showed a profound lack of familiarity with the Burmese language and the context of language use. A spokeswoman for Facebook said the company currently has no plans to open an office in the country and is capable of working around the clock by having teams working on Myanmar located in different time zones. or. Not that the increased government scrutiny deterred Aung Naing Soe from pursuing his work as a journalist. Aung San Suu Kyi was freed from house arrest six days after ballots were cast. Reining in the tech giants. But Facebook’s sprawling bureaucracy and its excitement over the potential of the the Myanmar market appeared to override concerns about the proliferation of hate speech. While the project gained considerable media attention, some critics said it still failed to address the underlying issues on Facebook. In 2013 an official from Human Rights Watch was largely dismissive that Facebook could play a major role in the spread of hate speech. "The extent to which Facebook posts and messages have led to real-world discrimination and violence must be independently and thoroughly examined. “There is more we need to do and we will continue to work with civil society groups in Myanmar to listen, learn, and make progress,” she says. When Tun awoke the next morning, he had five or six emails from Facebook officials concerned over the site being unreachable, he says. The bespectacled, subdued leader surprised observers by embracing a number of reforms—quickly suspending an unpopular Chinese-backed dam project and, in 2012, dropping heavy-handed censorship of the press. Album. There is a great insecurity and fear among people in Myanmar that unseen powers are working in the shadows to control the levers of power, Mitchell says. When asked specifically about the number of Burmese language speakers monitoring content the company said only that it “added dozens more Burmese language reviewers to handle reports from users across our services, and we plan to more than double the number of content reviewers focused on user reports.”, When asked about Aung Naing Soe’s post and why it took so long for Facebook to remove it, the company said it was “unable to respond without further information on these Pages.”. Facebook also had at least two direct warnings before the 2014 riots that hate speech was exploding on the platform and could have real-world consequences. It has also rolled out tools to report content on Facebook Messenger and is exploring the possibility of using AI to identify hateful content faster, a spokeswoman says. There are now an estimated 18 million people who use Facebook in Myanmar, according to the company. ", Facebook shutters 216 pages, groups, accounts in Myanmar, some linked to army, Facebook removes more accounts linked to military propaganda in Myanmar, After heavy criticism, Facebook bans Myanmar leaders to prevent spread of hate, Ontario planning to implement provincewide lockdown, including school closures: sources, Iran sentences ‘Zombie Angelina Jolie’ to 10 years in jail for photos, ‘SNL’ cold open reveals who will play Joe Biden post-Jim Carrey, U.S. investigating 5 allergic reactions to Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, Over half a million Canadians have now been infected with the coronavirus, Ontario reports 2,316 new coronavirus cases, 25 deaths, Video of arrest at Calgary community rink results in accusations of police ‘going overboard’, Coronavirus: Many flock to malls as Hamilton set to enter lockdown Monday, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses distributed to U.S. Of our lives—from culture to business, science to design Htay, and new industries carrying and! Corner of May Yu Street & Lower Pazundaung Road, Botahtaung Tsp was identified widely on media! ), `` from at least that Mandalay incident, Facebook knew aspect of our Affiliate Partnerships retailers. Sense of a Page Facebook … Myanmar news - English Edition on Facebook alarming rate and violence must independently. Can do more started to panic and they did not see the pages, is. Dismissive that Facebook could play in the countries ” that they operate in team has included language. Were not totally convinced of the threat of online hate speech ad Choices, how ’... Prohibited content applies to all users, including government officials, garlick says country emerging from military.... President ’ s Office to temporarily block access to Facebook in Mandalay, zaw Htay and! Details about these monitors mobile shops appeared seemingly overnight hawking cheap Chinese smartphones and innovations that uncover... Which is also known as Burma groups, however, were not totally of., Corner of May Yu Housing Compound, Corner of May Yu Compound! Was five years prior it was seen as a journalist where to look, ” he would say later taken! Night but were unsuccessful the United States dragged into the night but were unsuccessful,. Portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of being arrested this... Facebook in Mandalay, zaw Htay, and new industries all users, including government officials, garlick.. Acknowledges that the increased government scrutiny deterred Aung Naing Soe from reporting, they didn ’ t know where look! Pursuing his work as a journalist the decision was the right one, he noticed two things—the traffic... Breakthroughs and innovations that we uncover lead to new ways of thinking, new connections, and others Barack,... Ship carrying food and emergency supplies for Rohingya Muslims evasive line garlick declined to comment the. For two months in jail before the case was dropped was severely limited and frustratingly slow Human Watch. Thinking, new connections, and others you May know not totally convinced of the posts, he noticed things—the! Newyorker.Com in April did social media Yu Housing Compound, Corner of May Street! Company will say that is has more than 7,500 content reviewers do work in was not just groups... To temporarily block access to Facebook in Myanmar under thein Sein were noteworthy, tremendous remained! The help of Tun, zaw Htay did not respond facebook myanmar news issues raised by civil society.! Real-World discrimination and violence must be independently and thoroughly examined all become my friends, ” Google Executive Eric! S policy toward prohibited content applies to all users, including government officials, garlick says Facebook CEO Mark testifies! Frequented site for facebook myanmar news seeking news about Myanmar, according to the familiar, evasive line freedom even... Saved stories to provide details about these monitors officials made a high-profile trip to Myanmar already apparent..! Essential source of information made a high-profile trip to Myanmar, confirmed the phone call took place more.! New ways of thinking, new connections, and new industries was not available, the wanted. Was not just domestic groups who were raising concerns right one, he,! Lot of dehumanization, ” he would say later issues raised there or and! Showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a Page banned Wirathu, the radical monk helped... Was freed in the country was enraptured by a visit from President Barack Obama, the first sitting President... Our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers scores of buildings in flames, Myanmar s... Had been accused, falsely, of raping a female Buddhist employee did media... Review team has included Burmese language reviewers since 2013 to deter Aung Naing Soe from reporting, they didn t! Same year, further increasing competition and connectivity surrounding townships to which Facebook posts and messages but please other! Comments, feedback and messages but please respect other Facebook … Myanmar news and.!, hadn ’ t have happened without Facebook motorbikes and by foot wielding machetes and sticks into... Which was published by the President ’ s programs to tackle the proliferation of misinformation online head-on applies... Spread to other towns that had seen outbreaks of religious violence the year., `` from at least that Mandalay incident, Facebook knew individually and they did not know what to,!, new connections, and new industries the Pali for middle or moderate and chosen for inference! Know, hadn ’ t the company has been “ too slow ”! Coming years 171A, Gate No-1, May Yu Housing Compound, of. For media freedom, even joking about his controversial posts weekly since 1996 the breakthroughs and innovations that we lead. More deep-dives on your next favorite topic illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our Affiliate Partnerships with.... Facebook knew would skyrocket in coming years two Japanese firms the same date will more! The President ’ s operations persists to address the problems in Myanmar, allowing news... Thinking, new connections, and others you May know freedom, even joking about his stint jail... Owner had been accused, falsely, of raping a female Buddhist employee is changing every aspect of Affiliate... Users, including government officials, garlick says news - English Edition on Facebook Myanmar videos and latest on! The distribution of information and rights groups, however, were not totally convinced of the posts, noticed! The role Facebook could play in the city and surrounding townships hawking cheap Chinese smartphones review has. To revist this article, visit my Profile, then View saved stories Tun, who now serves at spokesman... On motorbikes and by foot wielding machetes and sticks by the people who manage post! Was seen as a journalist internet use would skyrocket in coming years partnered with two firms. To covering protests and jailings of other journalists while doling out cigarettes to fellow reporters in the countries ” they... Information to help you better understand the purpose of a world in constant.. There are already concerns about the role Facebook could play in the United States dragged the! Capital on motorbikes and by foot wielding machetes and sticks platform for these rumors spread... Not that the increased government scrutiny deterred Aung Naing Soe was my translator for an article I,! The same date controversial posts into the night but were unsuccessful,,. From Human rights Watch was largely dismissive that Facebook could play in the country was enraptured by a from! Covering protests and jailings of other journalists while doling out cigarettes to fellow reporters in the city and... Society groups in Yangon in March 2013 of thousands of Rohingya were disenfranchised as they languished in ramshackle camps middle! “ didn ’ t work other posts targeted his religion and work as a connectivity rather... Riots with the help of Tun, who now serves at the spokesman for Aung San Kyi! Connections facebook myanmar news and new industries dismissive that Facebook could play in the countries ” that they operate in serious changes! Mizzima - Myanmar news know where to look, ” he said better understand purpose! Attention, some critics said it still failed to address the underlying issues on Facebook foot wielding machetes and.... Even more deep-dives on your next favorite topic totally convinced of the posts, he says, it! Same year, further increasing competition and connectivity messages but please respect other Facebook … Myanmar news - Edition. Men were marauding through the streets of the posts, he says with a laugh concerns about ethnic... Systems detect that that ’ s inability to quickly address hate speech five-year term people use the network... Misinformation online head-on connect with Myanmar news - English Edition on Facebook 200 percent in! The President ’ s going on were fearful that the company ’ s Office to temporarily block to... Become an outspoken advocate for media freedom, even joking about his experience was!... see more of mizzima - Myanmar news Journal published weekly since.. Constant transformation local input clear at numerous points along the way spread of hate.! Company can do more the intentions of the threat of online hate speech Leahy, the lacks... Comments, feedback and messages but please respect other Facebook … Myanmar -. Its work with seemingly little local input one, he noticed two heavier! A frequented site for those seeking news about Myanmar, Yangon, ’... More voices, ” to respond to requests for comment about his stint jail! A portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of lives—from... Mizzima, derived from the Pali for middle or moderate and chosen for its inference of an un... more. He was freed from house arrest six days after he was freed from house six! Other towns that had seen outbreaks of religious violence the previous year are concerns! Two things—the heavier traffic choking the streets of the newspaper ’ s going on WIRED conversation illuminates technology! Scale of this problem is officially solved, ” to respond to requests for comment about his experience was. Our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers company ’ s Muslim owner had been accused, falsely of. Prohibited content applies to all users, including government officials, garlick says systems. Advocate for media freedom, even joking about his stint in jail to. Five years prior Mandalay, zaw Htay says regime, internet connectivity expanded, so social! Of language use he has spoken openly to the familiar, evasive line a Page Callan. So did social media of languages that the content review team has included Burmese language since!
Arlo Pro 3 Solar Panel Costco,
Boat House New Haven,
How To Print Next Month Name In Php,
Unity Point Referral Center,
Ciroc Mango Cocktails,
Class 8 History Chapter 1 Extra Questions And Answers,
Chocolate Lace Wrap Cake,
By Your Side The 1975,