I remain banned by Facebook. Without any reason having been given I was first suspended and then told I was “ineligible”. But I was able to obtain the email addresses of the supposed FB “oversight” group that includes a former editor of Britain’s Guardian newspaper. I sent them the note (below) and received one reply: that the person was on his way to a meeting in Europe and would deal with the matter later. I now understand that I am merely one of a number of individuals who have been similarly treated. Be interested in any other in formation and to hear what you think.
This is the message sent to the apparent Meta oversight group:
“There apparently exists some sort of Meta oversight in which you are involved and to which I may address a particular problem. I was initially suspended from Facebook for “going too fast”, perhaps the most inane reason I have seen anywhere. But I was told I could appeal. However, this meant logging on to Facebook, from which I had been suspended: a classic Catch-22 situation?
I was subsequently informed that “Your account was disabled because we determined that you are ineligible to use Facebook.” Interesting? Especially since, over decades in journalism, I have never been accused of deviating from journalistic ethics. so, for what it is worth, I am a life member of the British NUJ, a founding member of the early, non-racial SA Journalists’ Union, a member of the SA National Editors’ Forum and the holder of a couple of awards for investigative journalism.
Perhaps, in my dotage, I have strayed from the path of honest, truthful reportage. But I see no evidence of this. What I do perceive is that it is possible that algorithms may be written by individuals who have ultra-right or even fascist inclinations. That seems to. be a fairly widespread belief since many of my colleagues, hearing of my FB “ban”, tell me it should be regarded as a “badge of honour”. It is still rather annoying, let alone being deeply worrying given the control exercised over this digital space.
Cape Town, South Africa-based journalist commentator and author specialising in political and economic analysis and labour matters. 
Terry Bell Writes 
Horst Kleinschmidt
April 30, 2025
WSent from my iPhone
Ruth Hartley
April 30, 2025
Hi Terry,
Yes – you are not alone. FB cuts out criticism of Trump by left-wing or simply any accurate reporting by journalists.
Some posts I shared from Heather Cox Richardson have been removed.
I think if you preface a post with care and subtlety rather than actual fibs, the content may escape notice.
Do you use Medium and Substack?
Good luck.
Ruth
J Canterbury
May 4, 2025
Greetings, Terry. I empathise with your frustration with being banned by FB. I am also quite alarmed that algorithmic bias along fascist lines could be the reason for the ban. Hopefully others, who have been similarly banned, will also publish their experiences so as to generate public awareness of FB’s potentially harmful, biased practices.
Terry Bell
May 28, 2025
Let’s hope so.