Facebook has repeatedly faced criticism for removing posts that were said to violate its community standards.

In many cases, the posts have been allowed back on the site following a backlash.

Just last week, Facebook apologised for removing a video on breast cancer awareness posted in Sweden because it deemed the images 'offensive'.

Today social network has confirmed that it will consider whether posts are in the 'public interest' before removing them in future.

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The social network has confirmed that it will consider whether posts are in the 'public interest' before removing them in future.

FACEBOOK APOLOGISES FOR BANNING CANCER VIDEO Last week, Facebook apologised for removing a video on breast cancer awareness posted in Sweden because it deemed the images 'offensive'. The Swedish Cancer Society said Thursday that the video, displaying animated figures of women with circle-shaped breasts, had been removed. The clip aimed to explain to women how to check for suspicious lumps. Later in the day, Facebook apologised for the 'mistake' It told the BBC: 'We're very sorry, our team processes millions of advertising images each week, and in some instances we incorrectly prohibit ads. 'This image does not violate our ad policies. We apologize for the error and have let the advertiser know we are approving their ads.' Advertisement

'In the weeks ahead, we’re going to begin allowing more items that people find newsworthy, significant, or important to the public interest — even if they might otherwise violate our standards', explained Joel Kaplan, VP Global Public Policy, and Justin Osofsky, VP Global Operations & Media Partnerships in a joint statement.

'We will work with our community and partners to explore exactly how to do this, both through new tools and approaches to enforcement.

'Our intent is to allow more images and stories without posing safety risks or showing graphic images to minors and others who do not want to see them'.

Last month, the firm apologised after removing the famous 1972 photograph of a naked girl fleeing a napalm attack during the Vietnam War.

The image was later reinstated.

'Because of its status as an iconic image of historical importance, the value of permitting sharing outweighs the value of protecting the community by removal, so we have decided to reinstate the image on Facebook where we are aware it has been removed,' a Facebook spokesman told AFP.

On June 8, 1972 a South Vietnamese plane dropped a napalm bomb on forces in Trang Bang after mistaking them for troops from North Vietnam. The famous photograph capturing the harrowing scene was removed by Facebook last month, but later reinstated with an apology

Facebook removed a video on breast cancer awareness posted in Sweden last week after deeming it 'offensive'. Pictured is the an image from the original video

In its latest statement, Facebook's Mr Kaplan and Mr Osofsky explained the complex nature of observing the social network's global standards.

'Whether an image is newsworthy or historically significant is highly subjective', they said.

'Images of nudity or violence that are acceptable in one part of the world may be offensive — or even illegal — in another.

'Respecting local norms and upholding global practices often come into conflict.

'And people often disagree about what standards should be in place to ensure a community that is both safe and open to expression'.

They confirmed that the company would be working closely with various experts, publishers, journalists, photographers, law enforcement officials and safety advocates to get it right.