EC advocates 'self-regulation' in social media

Spring has sprung as usual- but never before in the history of the country's Parliamentary practice Indian media had been ''strengthened'' with an ''added responsibility" in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls as this time, with the prefix-''social.''

There is a general agreement among political parties that social media will have a significant ''influence'' on the outcome of the seven-phased elections beginning April 11.

The Election Commission (EC) has maintained that digital platforms will have to adhere to the model code of conduct and the regulatory framework for electioneering has to include social media and hence, advised for ''self-regulation'' in the ''newer arena'' to curb fake news.

''It is the best possible approach at present in the context of the medium. The spread of smartphones has widened internet access and magnified the impact of social media. Self-regulation of the medium will further 'power' the EC to effectively use it's regulatory resources to ensure a free and fair poll,'' Election Commission sources observed.

''Social media's popularity is based on minimal entry barriers when it comes to disseminating informations. This implies that dissemination of information and views through this medium will originate from a lot more sources than conventional means. Given this, any attempt to impose a strict regulatory framework based on micromanagement will fail. It will only succeed in diverting EC's limited resources without in any way meaningfully cracking down on violations,'' the EC sources said.

Asked to comment on the EC's ''mantra'' of ''self-regulation'' for social media companies, keeping in view the forthcoming elections, a political analyst, on the condition of anonymity in the national capital remarked, ''Any attempt at self-regulation under the guidance of EC is welcome. It will strengthen individual efforts at checking abuses and impart coherence to the overall effort.''

''The fact that needs to be acknowledged is that social media has a vast multiplicity of users. Rather than attempting to heavily regulate it, it is better to educate the voter and put out ''buyer beware'' warnings on social media consumption,'' the analyst opined.

Informatively, a number of social media firms, including Facebook, Google and Twitter have agreed to

a three-hour time limit to comply with the orders of the EC for taking down content in violation of a 48-hour ''silence period'' during the upcoming elections.

The code, agreed to between the EC and Internet and Mobile Association of India and social media intermediaries on March 20, has come into immediate effect.

Nine hundred million voters will exercise their franchise in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections stretching from April 11 to May 19. The counting will be held on May 23.