Social Media's Threat to Indian Democracy

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As India gears up for its parliamentary elections, the influence of social media platforms looms large, casting shadows over the integrity of your vote. These digital giants such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram have evolved into hotbeds of troublemakers, spreading a dangerous mix of false information, hatred, and deception throughout our society.

Beneath the surface of social media lies a troubling truth: these platforms are not merely tools but powerful weapons used by propagandists and troublemakers. Fueled by massive amounts of money, some of which support hate speech and incite violence, social media is manipulated to sway public opinion in favor of vested interests, threatening the very essence of democracy.

The core value of free speech, essential for democracy, faces a serious threat as social media corporations yield to government pressures, stifling dissent and removing content that challenges authority. This erosion of free speech rights poses a significant risk to democratic principles.

The algorithms directing these platforms, driven by the pursuit of user engagement, prioritize sensationalism over truth, providing a fertile ground for scammers, fraudsters, and propagandists to exploit unsuspecting users. The advent of artificial intelligence further exacerbates this issue, making it easier for malicious actors to manipulate the system, while social media platforms shy away from addressing these challenges directly.

Countries like India, outside of the Western sphere, are disadvantaged in this digital arena, as social media platforms struggle to monitor content in languages such as Hindi and Bengali, resulting in widespread misuse and abuse of the platform. The lack of transparency and accountability in these platforms' operations in countries like India creates an environment ripe for unchecked misconduct and manipulation.

As responsible citizens, we cannot stand idly by while the profit-driven motives of tech giants threaten to dismantle our democratic framework. It is our responsibility to demand transparency and accountability from social media platforms, advocating for safeguards to protect the integrity of our elections and uphold our right to open, honest discussions.

In this era of digital supremacy, where platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Google hold significant sway over public opinion, the foundation of democracy hangs in the balance, vulnerable to forces seeking to shape our thoughts and hijack our collective voice.

Samuel Navkar

Freelance Journalist

I am Samuel Navkar, freelance Journalist, and blogger.

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