[Marxistindia] Set Up JPC: Probe FB-BJP Nexus

[news from the cpi(m)]

August 17, 2020
 
 
Press Statement
 
 
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the
following statement:
 
Set Up JPC: Probe FB-BJP Nexus
 
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the role of global social
media behemoth, Facebook, as exposed by the Wall Street Journal,
particularly the functioning of its India policy chapter. Facebook is not
following its own laid down policy against communal hate content. 
 
This confirms the overall apprehensions over the Facebook's activities
across its three platforms: WhatsApp and Instagram. A stinging exposure by
New York Times in 2018 revealed its questionable practices. This exposure
raises serious questions about the huge social media investment and
operations of the BJP and its role in promoting hate between communities.
The recent investment of Facebook in Reliance strengthens the apprehension
of monopoly control, especially, in the absence of an effective social media
internal regulatory oversight. The huge financial resources at the disposal
of BJP aided further by the opaque electoral bonds scheme completely ensures
its control over social media.
 
The Polit Bureau calls for an urgent and thorough enquiry into this nexus
between Facebook-WhatsApp-Instagram and the BJP; fixing accountability and
recommending effective mechanisms for barring these platforms from promoting
communal hatred. 
 
The Polit Bureau demands that a Joint Parliamentary Committee be immediately
constituted to probe this nexus. Pending the findings of the JPC, FB should
be barred from operating with any government department or constitutional
body like the ECI etc.
 
 
For CPI(M) Central Committee Office
 
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