Facebook board's Trump decision could have wider impacts

Barred from social media, Trump has embraced other platforms for getting his message out. He does frequent interviews with friendly news outlets and has emailed a flurry of statements to reporters through his official office and political group. — AFP

Since the day after the deadly Jan 6 riots on the US Capitol, former President Donald Trump’s social media accounts have been silent – muzzled for inciting violence using the platforms as online megaphones.

On May 5, his fate on Facebook, the biggest social platform around, will be decided. The company’s quasi-independent Oversight Board will announce its ruling around 9am ET. If it rules in Trump’s favour, Facebook has seven days to reinstate the account. If the board upholds Facebook’s decision, Trump will remain “indefinitely” suspended.