Dear TikTok Malaysia Team,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our deep concern regarding TikTok's current guidelines on accepting reports related to posts about Palestine. We appreciate TikTok's efforts in creating a platform for creative expression and fostering a diverse online community. However, we believe that there is room for improvement, particularly in the way content related to sensitive topics such as the Palestine issue is handled.

The ongoing issue in Palestine is a matter of global concern, and social media platforms like TikTok must ensure fair, respectful, and unbiased treatment of content related to this issue. We urge TikTok Malaysia to reconsider and revise its guidelines in the following ways:

1. Transparency and Clarity:

   TikTok should provide clearer guidelines on what constitutes hate speech, incitement, or violence concerning the Palestine issue. Clear definitions will help users understand the boundaries of acceptable content.

2. Cultural Sensitivity Training:

   TikTok moderators and staff should undergo training to better understand the cultural and political context of the Palestine issue. This knowledge will enable them to make more informed decisions when reviewing reported content.

3. Accountability and Fairness:

   TikTok should establish a more robust system for reviewing reported content related to the Palestine issue. There should be a fair and unbiased process for evaluating whether reported posts violate community guidelines.

4. User Education:

   TikTok can be active in educating users about the importance of respectful dialogue and understanding when discussing sensitive political issues such as Palestine. This could include in-app notifications, educational campaigns, or partnerships with organizations promoting peace and understanding.

5. Collaboration with Experts and Organizations:

   TikTok could collaborate with experts, academics, and organizations specializing in issue resolution, human rights, and peacebuilding to develop guidelines that promote understanding, tolerance, and respectful discourse.

You, as a company, do not have to support one side or the other. But you have a responsibility to allow all sides of a conversation to take a stand. By revising your guidelines and implementing the suggestions above, TikTok Malaysia can create a safer and more inclusive environment for discussing important global issues like the Palestine issue. We believe that these changes will help to correct the narrative that has been controlled on social media, especially by the West when it comes to the Palestine issue, which has always been biased towards promoting only Israeli content and silencing Palestine-related ones.

Malaysia staunchly stands in solidarity with Palestine, firmly supporting their cause. The country maintains a resolute pro-Palestine stance, refraining from establishing diplomatic ties with Israel. Regardless of the change in government, each Prime Minister of Malaysia has consistently demonstrated unwavering support for the oppressed Palestinian people, underscoring Malaysia's enduring commitment to this humanitarian cause.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to seeing TikTok Malaysia proactively promote respectful dialogue and cultural understanding on its platform.

Initiated by

Farwina Faroque
Aliza Kim

Nur Izzaidah Abdull Zubi