Election Commission of India, last week, issued a directive on how the Internet is to be used for paid political communication (advertisements and content), points towards a lack of understanding of how the Internet functions. While you might argue that the EC is just doing its job, the directive does indicate unreasonable and impractical expectations of websites and advertisers, when it comes to understanding how the Internet operates, and might create a situation of liability for publications and platforms, where one might not necessarily apply. Read the directive here. The Election Commission has asked the Chief Grievance officers of websites (how many even have them?), and the IAMAI to ensure the following: 1. No political advertisement shall be accepted and displayed on Internet and Internet based media without pre-certification 2. Internet sites shall inform commission regarding expenditure incurred by the political parties/candidates on political advertisements, when requested for. 3. Internet based media will do active scrutiny to ensure that content displayed by them during electoral process is not unlawful or malicious or violative of the Model Code of Conduct 4. In case any unlawful content coming to the notice of the election machinery and brought to the attention of internet based media, the same would be removed forthwith. Apart from this, it has directed Political parties and candidates to: 1. File affidavits with information on authentic social media accounts of candidates, and pre-certified political advertisements. 2. Pre-certify online campaigns 3. Keep a separate and correct account of election expenditure, including…
