How Facebook learnt that domestic abuse helplines are not Australian media. Maybe.
In this world of connected devices and digital things, some things still hold true. Birds chirp, sheep baah, cows moo, Facebook decides that Australian media outlets include ABC, 7, 9, 10, NewsCorp, etc. All usual things.
Unfortunately, Facebook’s idea of media includes 1800Respect which is a domestic violence helpline, Crimestoppers (across numerous states and territories), various rescue helicopter and medical aircraft services, Facebook’s own Facebook page, numerous state health bodies, and many others that one would not assume with traditional media.
In addition to those well above respected ‘media outlets’ was ‘Small Steps 4 Hannah’, a foundation set up in the wake of Hannah Clarke’s, and her three children’s, horrific death at the hands of a miserable piece of work.
On February 19, 2020, she had put her children un the car, ready to take them to school. However, her routine was interrupted by her ex-husband, who poured petrol over her, the kids, and her car, and set it on fire. I’d like to say that’s all that happened, but… it wasn’t.
Unlike Facebook, Medium DOES allow linking to Australian media, so I’ll include links at the bottom of this post.
On the eve of the anniversary of her death, Facebook decided this group was an Australian media outlet and blocked it. This would have been bad enough, but her parents had planned to hold an event remembering her, and her children, before mentioning what changes were being made to the laws one year on.
Facebook removed the block, but the event had already been cancelled, to be held on Instagram instead. And the Australian media had picked up on the story.
I am not a marketing expert, but intentionally or not, blocking such a group, on such a day, is what many people would call a bold choice. Many people would also use more colourful terms to describe it. Possibly in a variety of languages, possibly in a variety of symbols.
While Facebook claims the proposed law is too broad, one could argue that Facebook’s idea of Australian media is too broad.
https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/news/perpetrator-of-violence-man-who-pledged-to-love-wife-killed-her-and-three-kids-after-they-fled/news-story/c373c2fafbb5fa3f31a0f44f8b836753
https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/camp-hill-car-fire-family-say-hannah-clarke-sacrificed-everything-for-her-children/fe2d7a20-5f55-4fed-8e73-4a3feb214040
