An editor highlighted the clinical and context blind nature of these deletions, giving the example that “images of partially clothed refugee children were deleted” during the election countdown. While designed as a safety measure, this policy effectively censored media trying to document the dire conditions in displacement camps. Another editor gave an example that “images of citizenship cards” were deleted, presumably for privacy reasons, which obstructed critical reporting on the bureaucratic erasure of ethnic minorities from voting lists. These examples and others were symptomatic of moderation errors, what platforms call “false positives.” Media, however, called it “censorship”, expressing deep frustration with platforms’ interference in media freedom. One journalist said, “Really important news has been censored.” 4.2. “Black box” moderation The media characterised this platform moderation as an opaque “black box”; an automated system whose decision-making processes are hidden from the user. Black box systems prioritise cost-effective algorithmic automation over the nuanced context required for “heightened” due diligence in conflict zones, transforming digital platforms into censors. The system is known as a black box because its decisions are opaque. 75% of media reported receiving generic notifications about content deletions with “no reason given” but citing unspecified violations. This lack of transparency leaves media in a state of “constant worry,” as editors must guess what might trigger a deletion. Media were also concerned that when the black box systems cannot distinguish between journalistic documentation of conflict and a combatant promoting violence, or between public interest news and extremist propaganda, the algorithmic default is to delete both. Uncertainty about moderation leads to pre-emptive self-censorship in just the same way that people self-censor when faced with vague laws. Media actively or unintentionally risk-assess reporting on news that was deemed algorithmically uncertain. Page 13 of 19