TikTok Removes 'Misleading Information' Promo for Israeli War Documentary

TikTok has removed a promotional video for the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation's investigative program "Emet" (Real Time), which featured security camera footage from Soroka Hospital on October 7, 2023. The platform cited "misleading information" as the reason for the removal, according to a notification received by the program's reporter, Roni Singer. The promo was intended to promote an upcoming episode titled "Emet - The Shift," which is set to reveal previously unaired footage from the hospital's security cameras during the first 24 hours of the war. This footage documents the arrival of hundreds of casualties from the areas attacked, including kibbutzim and military bases, as well as the influx of Israelis seeking information about loved ones and the transfer of critically injured patients to the emergency room.

Singer had uploaded the promo to her private TikTok account, where it garnered significant views before being taken down. The platform's notification stated that the video violated community guidelines concerning "misleading information that may cause significant harm to individuals or society," specifically mentioning false information regarding major civil crises or events. The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation criticized TikTok's decision, arguing that real-time documentation from Soroka Hospital should not be classified under policies concerning misleading or false information. They have contacted TikTok representatives in Israel to review the decision, but as of the report's publication, no response had been received from TikTok.

The episode "The Shift" revisits the initial hours of October 7 through events at the hospital, where Soroka's teams treated over 670 wounded individuals. The film also includes the personal stories of the injured, bereaved families, and medical staff.