Susie O Brien: Facebook’s restriction is a woeful way to treat brave women

Facebook live-streamed the cold-blooded slaughter of innocent people in New Zealand, as well as video of a gang rape. So why can’t the social media show playful photos of brave women raising awareness for a good cause ask Susie O’Brien.

Facebook live-streamed the cold-blooded slaughter of innocent people in New Zealand.

Footage of a gang rape, a father killing his baby daughter and an attack on a disabled teen have also been shown on the social media platform.

But Facebook deemed women’s post-cancer breasts from a Bakers Delight charity campaign too offensive to be viewed.

What a disgrace. The women’s nipples aren’t even visible — they’re playfully covered by pink buns.

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While Bakers Delight is allowed to post images from the campaign on its own Facebook page, the global giant deemed the same material to be inappropriate as sponsored content.

Facebook already has form in this area, routinely removing images of women breastfeeding, women’s bodies in art, iconic nude wartime photos and post-mastectomy scars.

The current restriction is a woeful way to treat the brave women who agreed to be in the Bakers Delight campaign baring their breasts, and buns, for the cameras.

I particularly admire the woman posing with her hand cupping where her breast once was.

It’s an image that says much about the ravages of cancer on women’s bodies.

Ten cancer survivors went topless for the annual Pink Buns campaign.

The campaign aims to raises awareness of the disease and money for BCNA.

These women have been diagnosed with cancer, suffered invasive treatment and come out the other side.

Most have faced their greatest fears with humour, courage and strength.

By restricting these images, Facebook is suggesting there’s something sordid or inappropriate about them.

Last year, Facebook released internal guidelines for its moderators, saying graphic content “with some limitations” is allowed to “help people raise awareness about issues”.

So, what’s the problem?

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Surely, this campaign is about raising awareness — and funding — for a good cause.

The guidelines also state Facebook will “restrict the display of nudity or sexual activity because some people in our community may be sensitive to this type of content”.

The current restriction is a woeful way to treat the brave women who agreed to be in the Bakers Delight campaign. Picture: Tony Gough

It goes on to say that while they restrict some images of female breasts that include the nipple, they “allow other images, including those depicting acts of protest, women actively engaged in breastfeeding, and photos of post-mastectomy scarring”.

These policies are clearly not being followed.

Bakers Delight has been associated with the Breast Cancer Network Australia over 19 years, raising $16 million over this time.

Last year, their campaign raised $1.6 million.

Let’s hope Facebook’s decision will be swiftly reversed and will lead to a record amount of money being raised.

These women deserve nothing less.

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