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FACEBOOK’S internal audit on hate speech, misinformation and bias has identified a “seesaw of progress and setbacks” in its handling of the issues.
The report, published today, was written by former American Civil Liberties Union executive Laura Murphy, who was hired to head the audit two years ago.
It recommends that Facebook apply a “stronger interpretation” of existing voter suppression policies and more concrete action on algorithmic bias.
Ms Murphy criticised decisions such as exempting politicians from fact-checking on free-speech grounds, even when posts from figures including US President Donald Trump are inaccurate. The firm says it will now add a warning to such posts.
More than 900 companies have joined an advertising boycott of Facebook over its handling of hate speech and misinformation.
But the company has also been accused of political censorship, for example when it chose to delete the account of former Ecuador president Rafael Correa, which had over a million followers.
Free-speech advocates worry that tougher restrictions on content will act to suppress alternative media.
