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Facebook has blocked content from some of Australia’s main scientific bodies, according to the Australian Academy of Science. The Academy, which represents the country’s most prestigious scientists, said there was “deep concern about Facebook blocking content from a range of non-news science organisations”. It said that Facebook blocked content from groups including Science and Technology Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology, the Australian Science Media Centre, the Australian Science Teachers Association, Professionals Australia, The Royal Institution of Australia and Research Australia. The chief executive of Science and Technology Australia, Misha Schubert, said Facebook’s move to block content from science organisations risked denying the public access to important scientific and health information. READ MORE: “For Facebook to block access to the feeds of trusted science and health organisations in Australia during a pandemic and bushfire season is irresponsible and dangerous. “At a time when the company is taking steps to tackle misinformation on its platform, it’s concerning it has chosen to silence some of this nation’s leading scientific voices.” The chief executive of the Australian Science Media Centre, Dr Susannah Eliott, said: “We are very concerned about the impact of this action on the quality of information reaching the public. “Facebook is used by many non-news organisations to distribute evidence-based information to the public on critical issues such as vaccines, pandemics, climate change and extreme weather events. “Social media platforms have a responsibility to enable the sharing of accurate information on these key topics and not increase the prominence of misinformation.” For faster access to the latest Canberra news, download The Canberra Times app for iOS and Android.
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Facebook has blocked content from some of Australia’s main scientific bodies, according to the Australian Academy of Science.
The Academy, which represents the country’s most prestigious scientists, said there was “deep concern about Facebook blocking content from a range of non-news science organisations”.
It said that Facebook blocked content from groups including Science and Technology Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology, the Australian Science Media Centre, the Australian Science Teachers Association, Professionals Australia, The Royal Institution of Australia and Research Australia.
The chief executive of Science and Technology Australia, Misha Schubert, said Facebook’s move to block content from science organisations risked denying the public access to important scientific and health information.
“At a time when the company is taking steps to tackle misinformation on its platform, it’s concerning it has chosen to silence some of this nation’s leading scientific voices.”
The chief executive of the Australian Science Media Centre, Dr Susannah Eliott, said: “We are very concerned about the impact of this action on the quality of information reaching the public.
“Facebook is used by many non-news organisations to distribute evidence-based information to the public on critical issues such as vaccines, pandemics, climate change and extreme weather events.
“Social media platforms have a responsibility to enable the sharing of accurate information on these key topics and not increase the prominence of misinformation.”
