Why Facebook set up a 'supreme court' of moderation

+ having a desk helps kids do better in school US Edition - Today's top story: Why Facebook created its own ‘supreme court’ for judging content – 6 questions answered [View in browser]( US Edition | 6 May 2021 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair How should a company with 2.8 billion users, 59,000 employees and millions of advertisers across the globe handle tricky content moderation decisions, especially when they involve such issues as free speech, powerful leaders and political violence? Facebook’s answer is the Oversight Board, a quasi-independent panel that reviews decisions to remove a post or a comment. In its latest and biggest case, the board upheld a ban on former President Trump but criticized the company for not following its own rules by either making the suspension permanent or setting a time limit. It gave Facebook six months to review the decision, meaning Trump may still one day be back on the platform. Corporate governance scholar Siri Terjesen explains why Facebook created the board, how it’s ruled so far and [why other companies are unlikely to follow its lead](. Also today: - [Why so many states are passing anti-trans bills]( - [New research: Early humans transformed their environment in ways that are still visible today]( - [What causes miscarriages?]( Bryan Keogh Senior Editor, Economy + Business Facebook’s new Oversight Board affirmed the social media network’s ban on Donald Trump. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu [Why Facebook created its own ‘supreme court’ for judging content – 6 questions answered]( Siri Terjesen, Florida Atlantic University The social media giant's third-party review panel upheld Facebook's ban on Donald Trump. A corporate governance expert explains why Facebook created the Oversight Board. 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These flares could be bad news for life trying to develop on a planet orbiting the star. - [Do you really need to drink 8 glasses of water a day? An exercise scientist explains why your kidneys say ‘no’]( Tamara Hew-Butler, Wayne State University If kidneys could talk, they'd tell you not to overdo the water rule you hear all the time. But since they can't talk, they do send signals to your body that enough is enough. - [How effective is the first shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine?]( William Petri, University of Virginia The vaccine rollout is underway, but what happens if there is a supply disruption? Would it be feasible to change strategy and give more people a first dose? An expert analyzes the data. You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe](. 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451