India hate speech row: IT panel summons Facebook

[Bilal9]

Political row ensues in India over Facebook's reported tolerance to hate speech by leaders linked to ruling party
Ahmad Adil |21.08.2020

NEW DELHI

As India is witnessing a massive political controversy over Facebook's reported tolerance to the hate speech posts shared by leaders linked to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the parliament's IT committee has summoned Facebook representatives to discuss the issue next month.

The notification issued by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology on Thursday said they will hear Facebook representatives on Sept. 2 "on the subject 'safeguarding citizens' rights and prevention of misuse of social/online news media platforms including special emphasis on women security in the digital space."

The committee also asked representatives of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to be present on the same day, the notification also said.

Last week, a news report, which triggered a political row in the country, said that a top executive of Facebook Ankhi Das opposed applying the hate speech rule against at least four individuals and groups linked with BJP.

A political row erupted last week in India after the US-based newspaper the Wall Street Journal reported that a top executive of Facebook Ankhi Das opposed applying the hate speech rule against at least four individuals and groups linked with the BJP, citing business compulsions.

Subsequently, the country's main opposition party Indian National Congress wrote to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, saying that Facebook "may be a willing participant in thwarting the right and values" that "leaders sacrificed their lives for."

The controversy has intensified into a war of words between the leaders from the BJP and Congress party.

Facebook after the news report said it "prohibits hate speech and content."

 

[El Sidd]

Indians just hate each other.

 

[Srinivas]

sickulars creating a mountain out of a mole. Reason why they are getting decimated every where.

 

[GHALIB]

Indians just hate each other.

this is in our DNA .

 

[GHALIB]

Political row ensues in India over Facebook's reported tolerance to hate speech by leaders linked to ruling party
Ahmad Adil |21.08.2020

NEW DELHI

As India is witnessing a massive political controversy over Facebook's reported tolerance to the hate speech posts shared by leaders linked to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the parliament's IT committee has summoned Facebook representatives to discuss the issue next month.

The notification issued by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology on Thursday said they will hear Facebook representatives on Sept. 2 "on the subject 'safeguarding citizens' rights and prevention of misuse of social/online news media platforms including special emphasis on women security in the digital space."

The committee also asked representatives of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to be present on the same day, the notification also said.

Last week, a news report, which triggered a political row in the country, said that a top executive of Facebook Ankhi Das opposed applying the hate speech rule against at least four individuals and groups linked with BJP.

A political row erupted last week in India after the US-based newspaper the Wall Street Journal reported that a top executive of Facebook Ankhi Das opposed applying the hate speech rule against at least four individuals and groups linked with the BJP, citing business compulsions.

Subsequently, the country's main opposition party Indian National Congress wrote to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, saying that Facebook "may be a willing participant in thwarting the right and values" that "leaders sacrificed their lives for."

The controversy has intensified into a war of words between the leaders from the BJP and Congress party.

Facebook after the news report said it "prohibits hate speech and content."

face book should be banned if they do not ban hate speakers .

 

[rishav]

facebook should be told that they have no business managing speech in India . Hate speech is just free speech , unless it is direct incitement of violence against a particular individual or group of people

 

[N.Siddiqui]

As India is witnessing a massive political controversy over Facebook's reported tolerance to the hate speech posts shared by leaders linked to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the parliament's IT committee has summoned Facebook representatives to discuss the issue next month.

The tolerance to hate speeches by FB of BJP/ruling parties will hurt India immensely in the longer run, may win them divisive votes due to more radicalization.

It is like BJP bigots saying look how powerful we are now, and how strong India has become that FB cannot remove our version of speeches(hate related).

Signs of more divisions and more hatred. When hatred and divisive politics starts winning you votes and power, the resultant catastrophe is not that far away. The signs are already there...

 

[jamahir]

face book should be banned if they do not ban hate speakers .

Facebook may remain with restrictions but it is very important that WhatsApp be banned. WA seems to serve only to spread rumors and invitation for communal, criminal activity.

 

[Imran Khan]

face book should be banned if they do not ban hate speakers .

That ia why fb did not take actions against haters because haters are in power in india and they will ban fb

 

[GHALIB]

Facebook may remain with restrictions but it is very important that WhatsApp be banned. WA seems to serve only to spread rumors and invitation for communal, criminal activity.

yes i agree with you whatsapp has become really very dangerous for spreading hate news , rumors, fake incident , fake videos . it should be monitored by govt agencies .

 

[Dalit]

There you have it. Appeasment for RSS at every level. Even on social media.

What is the point of applying rules and regulations for one segment only? That is Twitter, FB and social media giants for you.

That is why I am a strong proponent of having our own social media platforms.

 

[GHALIB]

That ia why fb did not take actions against haters because haters are in power in india and they will ban fb

you are right , it seems they are influenced by power of BJP govt .

 

[letsrock]

facebook should be told that they have no business managing speech in India . Hate speech is just free speech , unless it is direct incitement of violence against a particular individual or group of people

Tell it to indian govt in kashmir. The lack of reflection in your pathetic people is one level.

 

[GHALIB]

facebook should be told that they have no business managing speech in India . Hate speech is just free speech , unless it is direct incitement of violence against a particular individual or group of people

sir freedom of speech is double edged sword . it works bothways .

 

[Bilal9]

facebook should be told that they have no business managing speech in India . Hate speech is just free speech , unless it is direct incitement of violence against a particular individual or group of people

Facebook is an American company - incorporated in the US. US has its own hate speech standards and does not care one whit about what a third world govt. run by Modi dictates. Facebook has to face up to US standards, not the standards of the jungle.

It's this Indian chamcha hired by Facebook that is making this stupid call. She should be fired immediately. Idiot H1B's getting too big for their stupid britches.