By Armand Cabrera
Artists are increasingly posting their work on social media. Some are finding that because of the reach of the web their work is being censored. They way sites like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook apply their acceptable use/ guidelines are uneven leaving many artists confused and frustrated by the experience. The problems stem from these sites having many purposes for their users unlike dedicated artist hosting sites which can be much more flexible although with a smaller much more targeted user base.
As more and more artists and entrepreneurs are turning to self promotion and marketing, social media sites are finding themselves having to adjust and things that would have gotten banned just a few years ago can be completely acceptable now.
The internet offers a worldwide audience though, and something considered in good taste in one place could be found to be offensive in another. Content generators don’t really have control over who shares their posts even though they are responsible for the content of them. Violations can get the offender temporarily or permanently banned.
Artists recently hosted a Facebook Nudity Day protesting the random censorship of art on the site. The site was flooded with all forms of artistic expression celebrating nudity. In my own feed I have seen people reported and censored briefly for a post only to have FB reverse their decision upon inspection of the content in question.
If you are an artist how do you deal with the restrictions various social media place on your art? If you respond please do not include links or images in your reply. That’s how I am dealing with comments.
