News
Social media platforms give content-removal assurance to EC
View(s):- Local TV channels put on notice over coverage bias
By Damith Wickremasekara
He said that they have held talks with the officials of social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and WhatsApp, on the posting of material against election laws.
Mr. Ratnayake said the EC was given the assurance that any offensive material would be removed within an hour after being officially notified by the Commission. “However, if offensive messages are posted continuously, the account could be suspended by the operator for the election period,” the EC chief added.
He said they have obtained the services of institutions that have the capability to monitor social media.
In another development, local television channels have been cautioned by the Election Commission about the unequal time allocation for coverage of presidential candidates’ campaigns.
A five-member committee headed by Media Ministry Secretary Anusha Pelpita has been appointed to monitor news bulletins of state and private television channels on the allocation of time for the candidates.
Mr. Ratnayake told the Sunday Times that the move followed complaints from candidates.
He said representatives of television channels would be summoned to the Commission and would be instructed to take corrective measures.
He said on its own the EC had monitored and found a disparity, and the Pelpita Committee started yesterday to monitor coverage time allocations.
Accordingly, if a bulletin has provided additional time for one candidate on a particular day, the TV station will be required to correct the situation the next day by increasing time for the candidates who received less time.
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