SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM X REMOVES FOUR POSTS FOLLOWING EC ORDER.

Why in the news?

Social media platform X’s removal of political posts on EC order highlights ongoing debates over freedom of expression.

source:scribd

About the Social media platform X removes four posts on Election Commission’s order in India:

  • EC Order Compliance:
    • X complied with an Election Commission directive to remove four posts from leaders of various political parties.
    • The posts were from members of the YSR Congress Party, Telugu Desam Party, AAP, and BJP.
  • Disagreement with EC:
    • X expressed disagreement with the Election Commission’s order, emphasising the importance of freedom of expression, especially in political discourse.
    • Despite disagreement, the company took down the posts as per the EC directive.
  • Transparency in Action:
    • This marks the first instance of X proactively disclosing a takedown notice from India since April 2023.
    • Earlier, the company ceased publishing summaries of such orders with links to affected posts on the Lumen Database website.
About Freedom of speech and expression:

  • Freedom of Speech and Expression: Constitution of India, Article 19(1)(a), guarantees this right to citizens.
  • Essential Elements: Includes freedom of press, commercial speech, broadcast, information, criticism, silence.
  • Reasonable Restrictions: Article 19(2) allows limitations for sovereignty, security, public order, decency, morality, contempt of court, defamation, and incitement.

Source:

https://m.economictimes.com/news/india/social-media-platform-x-withholds-some-political-posts-in-india-after-election-commission-order/amp_articleshow/109353326.cms