The regulatory body responsible for the internet has broadened its investigations into content containing offensive memes about Indigenous people to another Facebook page.
Following a report by SBS News on Tuesday, The Australian Media and Communications Authority (ACMA) confirmed it had received a complaint warranting investigation on a Facebook page called “Aboriginal Memes” and had referred the content to the classification board.
The same process is underway for a similar site, which predates the first.
That site has now gathered more than 2500 "likes" on Facebook.
Emma Rossi, spokesperson for ACMA said they have received around ten complaints across at least two pages, and not just limited to Facebook.
“The ACMA can confirm it has received a number of valid complaints about multiple items of content on Facebook and elsewhere online that are related or similar to the content titled 'Aboriginal Memes',” Ms Rossi said.
“Given that investigations are under way, the ACMA will not comment about the placement or nature of the content at this time, she said.
Facebook has been criticised for its lack of transparency on its operating policies and lack of response to user reports over offensive content.
Communications Minster Stephen Conroy said about the first site "I think it's an offence. It's been reclassified but I think it should be taken down."
"We don't want to live by the same standards that Facebook does."
Stephen Blanks, secretary of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, criticised the company's lack of transparency and its inconsistency in enforcing its own standards.
“The publisher has a social and corporate responsibility to remove inappropriate material, and in this case, Facebook's inaction was unsatisfactory,” Mr Blanks said.
“Facebook needs to look at its policies and make them available to users and the public and make them enforceable."
Facebook issued the following statement to SBS News on Thursday night:
“We note that the Australian Communications and Media Authority are undertaking an investigation of these Pages and we are engaged in a constructive dialogue with the Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner”.
