AP Cabinet held a long discussion on the false propaganda, obscene posts and hateful comments being spread on social media – which are, as a result, posing a serious threat to government institutions and social harmony. – Establishment of a special Social Media Response Cell at the state level,
AP State Minister for Information, Public Relations and Housing, Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy,
Raja Pentapati- AP Bureau Chief
AMARAVATI July 10th Bharat Degital News
NATIONAL
(Five-Star Rated News Service by Google)
Decisions taken on various issues in the 1389th (52nd) Cabinet meeting held at the State Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Nara Chandrababu Naidu
He said that there was a wide-ranging discussion on the misuse of social media in the cabinet meeting held today. He said that economic strengthening is very necessary for the development of the state, public welfare and sustainable governance. He said that it is imperative for the state government to strengthen the state’s economy to effectively implement its development and welfare programs.
In this context, he expressed concern that developments such as false propaganda, character assassination, obscene posts and hateful comments in society, especially on social media, are becoming a serious threat to democratic values, government institutions and social harmony.
The Minister stated that despite the legal accountability, ethical standards and responsibilities of the traditional media, baseless allegations, misinformation, personal attacks and false propaganda against the government are being widely spread on social media platforms due to their shortcomings. He said that the misuse of social media has reached a level that affects the mindset of the people and the trust in the administrative system.
The Minister clarified that political parties need to act responsibly in a democracy and that political criticism should be on policies and should not turn into personal attacks, false propaganda and defamation.
He said that this issue was discussed extensively with senior police officers in a comprehensive review meeting. He said that the government is responding very seriously to the insulting propaganda, obscene posts and defamation being carried out through social media, especially against women, girls and minors. He clarified that strict action will also be taken against the misinformation being spread targeting public representatives, ministers and prominent figures in public life.
He said that the government has decided to take strict action against the criminals by examining the opportunities and loopholes in the current information technology laws and using all legal means. He clarified that if necessary, steps will also be taken to send the criminals to jail legally.
The Minister revealed that several key decisions were taken in this meeting. Among them, he said that there are issues such as the establishment of a special Social Media Response Cell at the state level, the formation of a special State Task Force to prevent social media misuse and cyber harassment against women and girls.
Similarly, the use of state-of-the-art digital forensic technology to identify social media handles that are carrying out defamation, false propaganda and misinformation, special training for district-level police officers, especially SHOs, on social media crimes, steps to investigate cyber crimes, appoint special Public Prosecutors (PPs) with expertise in legal matters, and if necessary, the government will provide necessary support by connecting cyber experts to the police department.
He said that the government will provide necessary support by taking steps to use cutting-edge digital forensic technology, special training for district level police officers, especially SHOs, on social media crimes, investigation of cyber crimes, appointment of special public prosecutors (PPs) with expertise in legal matters, and by linking cyber experts to the police department if necessary.
Later, decisions were taken on various issues in the cabinet meeting for various departments. The meeting was attended by the State Information and Public Relations Department Director K.S. Viswanathan.
Swacha Andhra Pradesh
