Social media firms come up with ethics code for Lok Sabha polls

NEW DELHI: A day after their meeting with officials of the Election Commission (EC) social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter have resolved to adopt a voluntary code of ethics for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections which including a reporting mechanism to deal with complaints, facilitating transparency in paid political advertisements, expeditiously process or take action on paid political advertisements.

The ethics code which is prepared by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) in consultation with key social media platforms is one of its kind in India’s electioneering history and recognises the growing influence of social media in any big election.

“The purpose of this voluntary Code is to identify the measures that Participants can put in place to increase confidence in the electoral process.