Stay Off Politics!
Big tech companies and media outlets must refrain from pushing political envelope and hidden agenda in India, US and elsewhere
K.A.Badarinath
Has Meta, US-based technology giant that owns Facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram commit an unpardonable crime by reportedly allowing a large Indian political party leader to tamper with posts that were inimical to its interests?
Or, ‘The Wire’, a news partner organisation of The Washington Post commit a grave unethical act that sullied the entire Indian media industry?
The debate has not led to plausible logical answers to the state of play vis-à-vis the large technology companies seeking to dictate the political narrative globally and Indian media companies playing dirty in the process.
One thing for sure is that ‘The Wire’ four part news stories do not stand scrutiny of making basic checks after a possible story tipoff was got as required in any given journalistic pursuit.
One of the two experts that apparently served as technical consultants Kanishk Karan has stated unambiguously that he never helped in the outlet’s reporting on the issue though ‘The Wire’ claims exactly the opposite.
Can The Washington Post disown its responsibility in entering into reporting partnerships like ‘The Wire’ that was found wanting in even making basic checks on a story before pointing to Meta – BJP leader Amit Malaviya arrangement on wetting posts?
Or, the partnership with ‘The Wire’ was borne out of The Washington Post editorial board’s steadfast policy of pursuing an anti-India, anti-Modi, anti-BJP and anti-Hindu editorial line?
From the Meta angle, does it not tantamount to extending its policy of playing truant in US while debunking the earlier Donald Trump’s Republican administration and siding with the Democrats to overthrow a democratically elected government?
Like its large technology peers, Meta seem to have plunged itself full time to determine the political trajectory either against or in favour of the ruling alliance. If there’s any grain of truth in the accusation of giving some privileges to BJP leaders on its platforms, what prevents Meta from reaching out to the opposition for playing the role of kingmaker in India?
Big question therefore is should technology companies not refrain from politicking and do their businesses as per Indian Laws? Businesses in technology space or others, have to be apolitical globally and in India as well. Siding with political parties or overthrowing governments is an unacceptable business crime should be an unacceptable agenda point to any company, big, small or medium enterprise. It’s not just commercial enterprises that need to display complete transparency on political posturing or narrative management. Large or small media outlets cannot shed their responsibility towards their readers sans hidden political agendas and proclivities.
(Author is Director and Chief Executive of CIHS)