Social media

The social media companies have been consistently defending themselves by pointing out that they are not really responsible for the content on their platform and that they can’t be held accountable for this as they are not media companies. 

The genie is out of the bottle. Prompt corrective steps are needed to put the genie back in the bottle before it can create more irreversible damage to the social eco-system. And in present times the genie can be compared with the social media. It aroused great expectations. Many felt that finally media has been unshackled from strict editorial controls.

But freedom without any curbs can be very dangerous. And, precisely, lack of any control in its content has made social media a highly destructive tool. Unscrupulous elements are using social media to carry out slander campaign, misinformation, unrest and violence. Concerned over the misuse of this mass media tool, the Indian Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that technology has taken a ‘dangerous turn’. The Supreme Court asked the Centre to apprise it within three weeks of the time frame needed to come up with guidelines to curb misuse of social media in the country. The apex court expressed serious concern over social media platforms not being able to trace the originator of a message or an online content. The court made it clear that it was necessary to identify the originators of fake news that triggers violence and is a potential risk to the country’s security, or defames individuals. The court pointed out that nowadays people can write anything and can get away with it.

While the Government can protect itself, an individual whose reputation gets tarnished has the right to know who wrote the defamatory piece to file a civil suit and seek compensation. The court observed that the issue of tracing the origin of messages to fight fake news and online crime needs to be seen in the context of privacy rights of an individual, provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the sovereignty of the State.

The Indian Supreme Court is hearing a case in which Facebook wants petitions filed in the High Courts of Madras, Bombay and Madhya Pradesh to be transferred to the apex court. The hearing before the Supreme Court assumes great importance as most of the social media companies claim intermediary protection.

The social media companies have been consistently defending themselves by pointing out that they are not really responsible for the content on their platform and that they can’t be held accountable for this as they are not media companies. Last year, the country witnessed a spate of killings originated from fake news about child kidnappers being circulated on the social media. The Government must accord top priority to frame rules and regulations to ensure that social media cannot be used as a tool to peddle fake news, incite violence, give a handle to the terrorists, promote pornography and defame individuals.

( Assam Tribune)