Facebook will no longer censor graphic posts — as long as they’re ‘newsworthy’

Facebook is promising to relax its rules on graphic content after it was widely criticised for censoring posts.

Earlier this year, the social media giant infamously removed a well-known Vietnam war photo, referred to as Napalm Girl.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning image shows a nude Vietnamese girl crying and running on the street during the war.

After the picture was removed, a Norwegian newspaper accused the company’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg of “abusing [his] power”.

Now, Facebook has relented saying it will allow more graphic posts if they are deemed “newsworthy, significant, or important to the public interest.”

In a statement, it said: "In recent weeks, we have gotten continued feedback from our community and partners about our Community Standards and the kinds of images and stories permitted on Facebook.

“In the weeks ahead, we’re going to begin allowing more items that people find newsworthy, significant, or important to the public interest — even if they might otherwise violate our standards.

“We will work with our community and partners to explore exactly how to do this, both through new tools and approaches to enforcement.

“Our intent is to allow more images and stories without posing safety risks or showing graphic images to minors and others who do not want to see them.“

Just this weekend, the site removed an advert for Swedish charity’s cancer awareness campaign because it feature a cartoon depiction of breasts.

Cancerfonden was told: “Your ad can not market sex products or services nor adults products or services.”

Facebook later apologised and lifted the ban.