Facebook’s Accountability

Context: The social media platform is in the eye of a political storm over alleged violations of its own anti-hate norms. This episode underlines the need for state regulation of such online apps.

Issues with social media in checking hate speeches:

• The changing role of social media: While most social media platforms started as a facilitator of conversation and deepening democracy, it has now become a self-directed arbitrator.

• For E.g. The Wall Street Journal recently reported the reluctance shown by Facebook in checking hate speeches communicated through its platform.
• Excessive Penetration: WhatsApp has over 400 million users in India and their usage can be assumed to reflect the diversity of their views and preferences.
• Self-regulation not satisfactory: Developing trust in the social media firms to self-regulate without any accountability is a flawed proposition and has failed in the past concerning advertisements.

• Non-deterrent legislation: Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code, which penalizes hate speeches, doesn’t act as an effective deterrent.

Way Forward: 

• Devising effective legislation: to hate speeches perpetrated with the help of social media platforms and making them accountable.
• Create a balance between free speech and restrictions: 
• Politicians might also be encouraged to demand a closer say in how social media platforms manage content.

• • • Facebook should publish its India- specific guidelines on moderation for public examination.