Team to keep tabs on social media post during 2019 Lok Sabha elections

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and social media intermediaries on Tuesday agreed to jointly draft a code of ethics for the industry within 24 hours of being asked by the Election Commission.

Facebook, Twitter and Google have agreed to create a high priority dedicated reporting mechanism for the Election Commission (EC) and appoint dedicated teams during the period of the general elections for taking action on any reported violation as per the voluntary code of ethics released on Wednesday.

Facebook, Twitter and Google have agreed to create a high priority dedicated reporting mechanism for the Election Commission (EC). (Bloomberg)

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and social media intermediaries on Tuesday agreed to jointly draft a code of ethics for the industry within 24 hours of being asked by the EC. Other crucial measures in the code of ethics include development of a “notification mechanism,” by which the EC can notify relevant platforms of potential violations of Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and other electoral laws. All objectionable content flagged by the EC will be removed or disabled immediately, within an outer limit of three hours.

“These valid legal orders will be acknowledged and/ or processed within 3 hours for violations reported under Section 126 as per the Sinha committee recommendations. All other valid legal requests will be acted upon expeditiously by the participants, based on the nature of reported violation,” stated the code. HT has reviewed a copy of the code.

A 14-member committee, headed by deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha, was announced in December after the EC took cognisance of parties violating provisions of Section 126.

The issues of appointment of a dedicated grievance channel for expeditious action by these organisations, and pre-certification and transparency in expenditure of political advertisements were taken up by the EC on Tuesday.

“Participants have also agreed to provide a mechanism for political advertisers to submit pre-certified advertisements issued by Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC)...,” the EC said. When notified by the EC, participants have also committed to taking action on paid advertisements violating MCMC certification requirement.

Google said, “At Google, we’re thinking hard about elections and how we continue to support democratic processes in India and around the world. As per our Political Ads Policy, we have mandated all political advertisers to submit ECI issued pre-certs to run any political ads .... ”