Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the T&JM Frequently Asked Questions page!

What is the Tech and Journalism Mechanism?

The Tech and Journalism Mechanism (T&JM) serves as a communication channel between Ukrainian-based media outlets and social media companies to address and resolve moderation disputes. We accept cases involving systemic moderation issues stemming from various account-related incidents, including but not limited to:

• Account removal

• Account suspension or blocking

• Mislabelling

• Deamplification/reduced distribution

• Promotion and monetisation restrictions

• Repeated content moderation disputes

• Impersonation

For example, if your media outlet has experienced multiple instances of content removal that you believe do not violate platform standards and terms of use, you can submit a form detailing the content removal issue. Our team will review your report, verify the information with our partners, and determine if your case is eligible. If eligible, we will escalate the matter with the concerned social media company.

Who can use the Tech and Journalism Mechanism?

The T&JM serves Ukrainian media and journalism outlets that meet the minimum criteria for demonstrating adherence to professional and ethical journalistic standards. T&JM will vet the identity, authenticity, and compliance with ethical standards or codes of practice of the potential beneficiaries of the mechanism.

Why can’t media outlets experiencing these challenges outside of Ukraine use the T&JM?

We are currently piloting the T&JM mechanism in Ukraine as an initial step. We aim to extend its availability to media outlets facing similar challenges outside of Ukraine in the future.

What cases does the Tech and Journalism Mechanism not cover?

The T&JM aims to address cases of systemic moderation presented previously and will not address the following cases:

• Satire

• Gender violence

• Legal matters

• IT issues (redirect)

• Security issues

• Non-Ukraine-based issues

• Individual cases

Although we do not cover these cases, we actively work with our partners that may be better suited mechanisms to address the issues you are facing. For security issues, please consult Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline.

Who are our partners?

The Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) and the Lviv Media Forum (LMF) jointly serve as the Secretariat of the T&JM, coordinating its stakeholders, activities, and administrative tasks.

In collaboration with international partners and experts, our initiative brings together a global network of professionals who contribute invaluable expertise and experience. T&JM partners and experts include:

• Daniel Bedoya Arroyo (Access Now)

• Thibaut Bruttin and Bertrand Mossiat (Journalism Trust Initiative/Reporters Without Borders)

• Zoey Barthelemy (Internews)

• Bojana Kostic (Consultant)

• Ruth Kronenburgh (Free Press Unlimited)

• Courtney C. Radsch (Open Markets Institute)

• Charles Turner (OCCRP)

• Elodie Vialle (Pen America)

• Joanna Szymanska (ARTICLE 19)

• Michael J. Oghia (Consultant)

• Lea Auffarth (Global Media Registry)

• Olaf Steenfadt (Global Media Registry)

Our collaboration with international partners and experts enhances the Tech and Journalism Crisis and Emergency Mechanism, bringing diverse global perspectives and valuable contributions to fortify our efforts.

What are the mechanisms and standards that organisations must comply with?

The Tech and Journalism Crisis and Emergency Mechanism’s core values are in-line with or reflective of the following mechanisms and standards for journalism, news media, and technology:

• The Santa Clara Principles on Transparency and Accountability in Content Moderation;

• The Human Rights Council Special Rapporteurs’ 2023 Joint Declaration on Media Freedom and Democracy;

• UNESCO’s Windhoek+30 Declaration;

• Recommendations from the 2022 report “Accountability Regimes for Social Networks and Their Users” published by the Forum on Information and Democracy;

• Maria Ressa’s and Dimitry Muratov’s 10-point Plan to Address Our Information Crisis;

• Courtney C. Radsch’s Understanding and Responding to Global Emerging News Threats for Internews & the U.S. State Department; and

• ARTICLE 19’s proposed concept of Social Media Councils.

What does T&JM offer?

Direct Support: Assisting independent journalism and news media organisations in navigating and escalating significant moderation incidents with major tech platforms.

Working Region: Launching initially in Ukraine with potential for broader application.

Collaborative Framework: Working in collaboration with Ukrainian organisations, international experts, and the T&JM Ukraine Coalition, to recognise and assess potential beneficiaries.

Goal: To have a dedicated platform for trusted and verified journalism organisations and news media to report account-related incidents and ongoing issues with prominent tech platforms. T&JM will not create a quality standard or assess the quality of the content produced, however, T&JM will vet the identity, authenticity, and compliance with ethical standards or codes of practice of the potential beneficiaries of the mechanism.

Systematic Change: Based on the data collected and working with T&JM Coalition and external organisations and experts, the T&JM will also act as a collaborative forum to advocate for changes and improvements in platform policies, provide recommendations in the establishment of crisis and emergency protocols, and guide future technical and policy decisions within different Internet governance and policy fora.

How do cases get monitored?

The cases are monitored by the Policy and Advocacy Team at the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD), by examining the cases, verifying the information with a local Ukrainian Coalition, and contacting the social media companies when applicable. We will then follow-up on the case and provide all needed support to reverse the violation or get a justification, when possible. We then contact the user who made the report and update them on its status.

Please take into consideration that stopping the violations depends solely on the social media companies’ responsiveness and resources. The companies sometimes don’t respond within the expected timeline and take a late action. However, GFMD is committed to communicating to companies about the violations and developing mechanisms of cooperation and communication with companies in the best interest of social media users.

Which platforms are you working with?

The Tech and Journalism Mechanism (T&JM) addresses violations across various social media platforms, including Meta (Facebook, Instagram), TikTok, and YouTube. However, it's important to note that our focus is primarily on major social media platforms, and we do not currently address violations on messaging apps such as Signal, Telegram, and others. While T&JM may not cover these specific platforms, individuals and media outlets encountering issues on messaging apps are encouraged to explore our resources page. There, they can find useful links to other mechanisms and resources that may be relevant to addressing concerns on these platforms. Our aim is to provide comprehensive support and guidance to the extent possible within the scope of our focus.

How long does it take platforms to address my issue?

We are unable to offer a precise timeline for the review process or specify the extent of the platform's involvement in resolving cases. While we've received affirmative feedback from users indicating issue resolution, the user typically receives the first notification of resolution. Nonetheless, given the diverse internal procedures and resource constraints of platforms, we may not be able to disclose every step taken to address your case.

Does the resolution of my case depend on the nature of my issue?

Depending on platform policies and priorities, some may draw more attention to issues concerning systemic issues hindering users’ ability to engage effectively on their platform. Nevertheless, our understanding of platform responsiveness and feedback frequency is consistently evolving. We strive to collect data to discern trends and patterns in the challenges encountered, enhancing our advocacy for the journalism community in Ukraine.

How can I submit a form?

You can submit a form via JotForm through this link. The form is available in both English and Ukrainian to accommodate your preferred language. It's important to note that the form is encrypted for security purposes. While filling it out, we advise users to refrain from including sensitive information. We only share the necessary details with our partners and tech platforms to facilitate the review of your case, ensuring that sensitive information is removed to uphold your privacy.

Who can access my information?

Once you submit a form through Jotform, your information will be stored in GFMD’s database, which we can share with relevant parties to address the issue or with partners to provide support for the case. The information may also be used without indicating any personal information about its original owners for research and advocacy purposes, which are conducted by the T&JM Team according to GFMD’s Privacy and Data Sharing Policy.

How can media development organisations collaborate with the Tech and Journalism Mechanism in addressing digital rights issues?

Media outlets wanting to engage with the Tech and Journalism Mechanism in tackling digital rights issues are invited to contact our T&JM team.

The ways media outlets can contribute include sharing anonymized data related to these challenges can facilitate research and analysis. Media development organisations can contribute their expertise by providing insights, analysis, and commentary on digital rights issues. This collaboration can enhance the platform's resources and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of challenges faced by journalists and technology users.

Contact us

Address: Rdpt Robert Schuman 6, 1040 Bruxelles

Tel: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]