The Czech journalism project Page Not Found had its social media accounts abruptly blocked by Meta without prior warning, raising concerns about content moderation practices.
The journalism project Page Not Found, led by journalists Jakub Zelenka and Apolena Rychlíková, experienced a sudden blocking of their Instagram and Facebook accounts last week. The blocking came without any prior warning from Meta, and a subsequent appeal was rejected in mere minutes. Founded in 2024, Page Not Found aims to specialize in slow, quality, and innovative journalism, using Instagram as one of its initial platforms to connect with audiences and share content.
The journalists speculate that the abrupt blocking may be linked to a previous article they published addressing illegal content on Telegram and its trading. They had shared an Instagram post on this topic, which included sensitive keywords such as "child pornography" and "illegal content." Zelenka mentioned to Deník N that this post might have been flagged out of context, resulting in the rapid determination that it breached community standards, although they were not given specific details regarding the blockage.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by journalism projects that tread on sensitive subjects, particularly those involving sexual violence and child welfare. Without a clear explanation or the possibility to rectify the situation quickly, concerns arise regarding the implications of such blocks on freedom of expression and the operational capabilities of media entities that tackle difficult issues within society.
