EC asks Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Tiktok to come with "Code of Ethics" like MCC

This is the second advisory on this issue to all political parties this month by the Election Commission.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora said the model code of conduct was a unique document prepared through consensus between the political parties and the poll panel. . (Photo by Samir Jana/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

Election Commission (EC) urged internet companies, including social media platforms, to come up with a model code document.

Social media sites agreed to come up with a code of ethics, which would lay down the operational rules for the industry by Wednesday.

The announcement came after the EC officials' meeting with representatives of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) as well as social media organisations,

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday advised social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Tiktok, etc to come up with "Code of Ethics" like Model Code of Conduct for regulation of content on social media during elections. All the representatives agreed to do the same for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as well as for the future. The announcement came after the EC officials' meeting with representatives of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) as well as social media organisations, including Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter, Google, ShareChat, TikTok and BigoTV. Earlier on Tuesday, EC again wrote to all political parties, asking them to advise their leaders and candidates to not indulge in political propaganda over activities of Defence Forces. This is the second advisory on this issue to all political parties this month by the Election Commission. General Advisory to Political Parties by Election Commission Says: Earlier, in a letter to political parties written on Saturday, the EC referred to its December 2013 guidelines in which it had called upon all political parties to advise their candidates and leaders "to desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel or photographs of functions involving defence personnel in advertisements or as part of their election campaign". The notification came in the backdrop of a picture showing a hoarding with images of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman as well as leaders. The 2013 letter referred to the defence ministry informing the poll panel about photographs of defence personnel being used by leaders and candidates of political parties and had sought instructions from the poll panel. The commission had said it was of the view that photographs of defence personnel and of functions of defence forces should not be associated with advertisement or campaigning by political parties.

Published at : 19 Mar 2019 08:35 PM (IST)

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