The issue of moderation on social media is at the heart of media concerns today. At RTBF, a citizen panel has been set up to explore the challenges and solutions of this moderation. The social media coordinator, Aline De Volder, shared crucial information about the necessity of this process, detailing the tools used and the challenges encountered. At the same time, the participating citizens expressed their thoughts, confronting their opinions on concrete moderation cases.
The Context of Moderation at RTBF
In 2025, RTBF received nearly 6 million comments across all its accounts, a statistic that underscores the importance of effective moderation. RTBF’s presence on various platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok is essential to reach an audience that, for some, no longer consumes television or radio content. Aline De Volder states that “today, a media outlet cannot survive without social media.”
The Moderation Tools
Managing comments is a constant challenge and involves the use of various tools. Comment masking is the most common tool used by moderators. When a comment is masked, it disappears from the public feed without the author being informed, which helps avoid immediate complaints. “The advantage of masking is that the person does not see that their comment has been masked,” explains Aline De Volder.
Banning and Muting
In the case of serious behaviors, such as repeated insults or threats, banning is applied. This method is reserved for the most extreme cases, reflecting a thoughtful approach to moderation. Additionally, the mute function allows a user to continue commenting without their messages being visible to others. “This prevents escalation while neutralizing problematic content,” emphasizes the coordinator.
User Workarounds
The sophistication of users seeking to circumvent moderation is also concerning. Language diversion strategies have emerged, making moderators’ work more difficult. For instance, substitute terms like “trees” can be used to avoid filters. “Moderators must adapt as users find new ways to circumvent moderation,” notes De Volder. Teams maintain updated keyword lists to track this dynamic evolution.
Debates About Freedom of Expression
The participant panel revealed a polarization of opinions in the face of difficult comments. Some believe that divisive statements should be made visible to foster debate, while others want their immediate removal. This divergence highlights the subjectivity inherent in moderation. “Moderation, at times, is subjective,” admits Aline De Volder.
The Moderation Charters
To limit variations in moderation, RTBF has established specific charters for each account, recognizing that rules must adapt to the type of content, whether for news, Views, or Tarmac. Felice Gasperoni emphasizes the importance of collaboration within the team: “Amongst us, we have a discussion thread where we sometimes share doubts.”
Towards a Calmer Discussion Framework
To counter the excesses observed on major platforms, RTBF is working to develop interactive spaces on its own site, aiming to create a more serene environment. Aline De Volder has observed that “when users interact on our platform, they spontaneously find themselves in a different state of mind.”
The Challenges of Social Media Algorithms
Damien Van Achter, a media consultant, warned that the financial goals of platforms conflict with public service values. He mentions that the X algorithm favors divisive content, creating an environment conducive to overflow. “The algorithm highlights content where we know people will engage,” he concludes.
In this context, preserving digital spaces aligned with public service values proves imperative, underscoring the importance of thoughtful moderation that is adapted to contemporary realities of online interaction.
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