Are tech firms neutral platforms or combatants in a propaganda war?

Facebook founder and Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg pledged to keep his company neutral when it comes to political discussions at home. Now he promised the European Union he’d promote propaganda at the behest of Western governments. So how does neutrality allow for activism?

Facebook and other tech companies say they don’t want to house content that incites the sort of violence and hate that leads to terrorism. The social network along with Twitter, YouTube and Microsoft reached an agreement with the European Union to take down offensive speech within 24 hours. In addition, the companies said their platforms would “encourage counter and alternative narratives” to the inflammatory content promoted by extremist groups. But with that promise, analysts say tech firms risk blurring the lines for free speech and bolstering government influence on services that have billed themselves as neutral.

How exactly Facebook and the other tech companies plan to promote content that undermines terrorist groups is unclear. Also unclear is what such content looks like.