Calling for a code for positive Net effect

With misinformation on the internet having allegedly played a role in instigating violence in Assam and causing somewhat of a ripple-effect in Mumbai and cities in UP, hindi bloggers of international repute are calling for a code of conduct for the web media.



Hundreds of bloggers, who gathered at Rai Umanath Bali auditorium here on Monday to discuss the future of the new social media unanimously agreed that there was no place for communal, sectarian, or caste-based comments, write-ups or opinions on blogs.

"The recent incidents in Myanmar and Assam, which caused violence in Mumbai, could have been avoided if the social media had followed a code of conduct," said noted satirist and blogger Girish Pankaj. Poornima Burman, another noted blogger, said, "A lot of lewd writings are seen on the blogs. There must be a system to stop the accounts of those who keep offending the people."

he bloggers on Monday agreed to set up Ram Manohar Lohia Bloggers’ Peeth (centre) for blog studies. "A proposal regarding this would be sent to the state government," said Ravindra Prabhat, convenor of the organising committee for the function. At this centre, people would be taught to create and develop blogs. During the conference, the delegates decided to create a collection of great blogs. Plus, a bloggers’ directory would be put in place.

Some of the participants came from the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Germany and Mauritius. Prominent among them were Poornima Burman, editor of Abhivyakti, an online magazine in hindi(Sharjah), Samir Lal(Toronto, Canada), journalist Shikha Varshney (London), Sudha Bhargava(USA), Anita Kapoor(London) and Baboosha Kohli(London).

First Published: Aug 28, 2012 13:06 IST