FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN THE DIGITAL AGE:PLATFORM GOVERNANCE AND THE FACEBOOK–USER RELATIONSHIP
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46763/Keywords:
Freedom of Expression, Facebook, Defamation, Platform Governance, Human Rights.Abstract
In democratic societies where all forms of expression that propagate,
encourage, incite, or justify hatred based on intolerance are sanctioned
and prevented, the relationship between Facebook and the user can no
longer be considered merely private in nature. Facebook may undertake
actions to remove inappropriate content where users violate the ethical
principles and rules codified in the “Facebook Community Standards.”
Freedom of expression possesses a general character, yet it is not
absolute. When its limits are exceeded, legal disputes arise between the
user and the platform administrator concerning the nature, purpose, and
consequences of the opinions expressed online. In such disputes,
procedural guarantees and adversarial interaction between the parties
should be ensured before sanctions are imposed, including the removal
of content or suspension of accounts.
This paper analyzes the relationship between freedom of expression,
defamation, privacy, and platform governance in the digital age, with
particular emphasis on the legal responsibilities arising from hate
speech and defamatory publications on Facebook. The paper further
examines evidentiary standards, burden of proof, and the balancing of
freedom of expression with the protection of reputation and private life
under the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights
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