To address fake news and hate speech during elections in India, social Media platforms are appointing dedicated grievance officers to "take necessary and prompt actions against the contents published on their platforms", the Chief Election Commissioner of India Sunil Arora said today while announcing dates for elections. Intermediaries like Facebook, Twitter, Google and YouTube have committed in writing to ensure that any political advertisement published on their platforms will be certified by Election Commission's Media Certification and Monitoring Committee. Candidates will also have to include online and social media elections expenditure in their expenditure disclosures. Key takeways from the announcement: 1. On Fake News: - To keep a check on fake news and hate speech during elections, Social Media platforms have appointed dedicated grievance officers to "take necessary and prompt actions against the contents published on their platforms." - Social Media platforms have committed to take action on any content reported by designated officers of Election Commission of India, which violates the electoral laws. - Internet and Mobile Association of India, in consultation with the Election Commission of India, is formulating a set of code of ethics for intermediary online platforms. This is a work in progress. 2. Online political advertising: - Google and Facebook will do verification of political advertisers. - All expenditure of campaigning on social media is to be included in the candidates election expenditure disclosure. - Facebook, Twitter, Google and YouTube have committed in writing to ensure that any political advertising published on their platforms will be…
