The Editors Guild of India on Friday issued a statement to bring in more accountability of social media platforms in the context of online abuse of journalists in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections. The guild strongly condemned the “recent tirade of abuse and intimidation against journalists, especially women in the wake of their reportage and commentary”.
“Business models thriving on hate of any kind are reprehensible,” the statement reads.
The guild urged the government to take appropriate action – especially the police cyber crime cells to prioritise addressing such complaints and taking action.
“Some of what is being allowed to pass clearly amounts to sexual abuse or instigation to violence,” the Editors Guild said. “Corporations owning these platforms need reminding themselves that they must not allow unlawful behaviour.”
The guild also said that laws against sexual harassment, intimidation and incitement to violence should be enforced against those who use social media.
