UPDATE : ITSSL clarifies statement on poll's chief's remarks on monitoring social media

The IT Society of Sri Lanka (ITSSL) has corrected its previous statement issued on a recent remark made by the polls chief on monitoring ‘mudslinging’ content on social media in line with the presidential elections.

Issuing a statement, ITSSL President Rajeev Yasiru stated that Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, in a telephone call, had clarified that his recent remarks did not imply that he would work towards manipulating social media platforms.

Accordingly, the ITSSL had expressed regret over any inconveniences caused to the EC Chairman due to the statement.

The Information Technology Society of Sri Lanka in a statement addressed to the polls chief expressed concerns regarding recent remarks made by the latter adding that such remarks were an implication of social media censorship. 

Local media, citing Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, this week reported that the EC would work closely with Facebook to monitor hate content in a bid to curb violence at the upcoming polls.

“We feel suspicious over the statements of the EC Chairman since it could be a move to censor social media platforms under the pretext of blocking hate speech,” Rajeev Yasiru, IT Society Chairman said.

He claimed that this could be an attempt to curb social media freedom since Deshapriya has not elaborated on the content which would be considered to be “mudslinging” against the presidential election candidates.

Further the statement said it was not required of the polls chief to take action on mudslinging among presidential candidates on social media.

“The affected presidential candidate can seek legal redress if social media companies do not take any action against content which are not considered offensive under their standard guidelines,” Rajeev noted.

He further stated that the IT Society, as a private entity, would be willing to share technical knowledge and expertise relevant to the upcoming presidential elections with the polls body, if required.