As the internet becomes increasingly synonymous with big companies like Facebook for many people, the old ideal of an open and free world net is starting to fade.
A new example could be added to the long line of complaints about censorship by the popular social network's self-appointed vice masters on 1 September. Even satirically intended animated characters in bikini in the fantasy parody Ronal the Barbarian can already no longer pass muster. Although, whether this is the reason for removing the Dutch fan page of this film is not yet certain. Finding out the reason is not so easy.
In a press release, Dutch distributor Amstelfilm reports:
"As Amstelfilm has not received any explanation about the restriction imposed, we can only guess at the cause. The animated film has a viewing guide of 12+ and the tagline "Babes, Balls and Muscles in 3D". Apart from a leather thong and an occasional amazon in bikini, we do not think the page of these cartoon characters can be called offensive. We at Amstelfilm are therefore very surprised and still looking for an explanation. Facebook has been in disrepute before by removing pages from the social networking site without mercy because of offensive material."
Marieke Jonker of Amstelfilm informs that objections have been filed and Facebook has been asked for a response. So far, however, nothing has been heard. "Frankly, I don't expect that either," she says. said Jonker, "because a company like Amstelfilm is not big and important enough for that."
"I did do some Googling around, and I saw that the situation is dramatic. Those who are being censored should use the Facebook guidelines to find out for themselves what might be going on."
Even more worrying, Jonker finds the arbitrariness. "The Danish Ronal page is still just up in the air. Maybe someone reported the Dutch page as offensive."
Leo Bankersen
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