Defending Digital Liberties: X Stands Firm Against Government’s Bid to Suppress Farmer Demonstrations Online
New Delhi, 22-02-2024: Social media giant X has voiced its disagreement with the Indian government’s directive to block accounts and posts associated with the ongoing farmers’ protests, advocating for the extension of freedom of expression to the affected content. According to sources, the Ministry of Electronics and IT has instructed social media platforms to temporarily suspend 177 accounts connected to the farmers’ protests, at the behest of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In response, X issued a statement asserting its compliance with the executive orders while simultaneously expressing its dissent. The platform emphasized that despite withholding these accounts and posts within India, it maintains the stance that freedom of expression should encompass these discussions. X highlighted the potential consequences of non-compliance, including severe penalties and legal repercussions.
Moreover, X called for transparency in the government’s actions, urging for the public disclosure of the blocking orders. The platform underscored the importance of transparency in governance, stating that the lack of disclosure could result in unaccountability and arbitrary decision-making. Despite legal constraints preventing the publication of executive orders, X stressed the necessity of making them accessible to the public.
Additionally, X informed the affected users about the government’s actions in accordance with its policies on notification. This move aims to ensure transparency and uphold user rights within the platform’s community guidelines.
Meanwhile, farmers across the nation continue their protests, advocating for various demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops and the waiver of farm debts. The situation escalated recently when clashes erupted at a protest site on the Punjab-Haryana border, resulting in the tragic death of a protester and injuries to several police personnel. In response to the violence, farmer leaders temporarily halted their march to the national capital for two days, reflecting the volatile nature of the ongoing protests.
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