TeaThe advent of global social media platforms has changed how societies communicate, engage in political discourse and exercise freedom of speech. The digital and social media revolution has raised important questions about national sovereignty and the supremacy of the democratic process, as seen recently. Controversy Which includes former Twitter CEO and co-founder Jack Dorsey and the Narendra Modi government.
In an interview with the American YouTube show breaking points, Dorsey claimed that in 2021, when he was still the CEO of Twitter, the Indian government sought to censor anti-establishment content related to farmers’ protests. According to Dorsey, not only were critical journalists intimidated, but the government also threatened to shut down the microblogging platform and raid employees’ homes if they did not follow its instructions.
These allegations were strongly denied by the Modi government, which accused Twitter of violating Indian law and refusing to acknowledge its sovereignty. “As elections approach, many foreign forces wake up,” Said Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur.
The incident presents a compelling case for examining the increasingly complex relationship between global social media conglomerates and national sovereignty. The core issue is the balance between promoting freedom of expression and respect for the country’s autonomy and laws.
The Indian Parliament, established by the Constitution, is the supreme legislative body that reflects the collective will of the people. Farmers’ protests against the farm laws passed by Parliament in September 2020, amplified by Twitter and other social media platforms, resulted in his return in December 2021. We have no way of knowing whether the agitating farmers were representing the will of the nation as a whole. Protests were largely concentrated in northern and central Indian states. Besides, we did not have any perspective of agricultural labourers, traders and consumers. The voice of farmer organizations was elevated as the voice of the people of India.
While the introduction and repeal of the farm laws by the government can be seen as a victory for democracy, it also raises concerns about the disproportionate influence that social media platforms wield over national politics. Merits or demerits of any law aside, a sovereign nation should never be forced to amend its law because of social media tactics and its power to generate “collective opinion”.
Social media platforms exercise unprecedented power in shaping public opinion, which forms the foundation of a functioning democracy. This is the reason why they have become indispensable in political campaigns. This power, when unchecked, can potentially disrupt the democratic process, distort public discourse, influence elections resultsand even incite social unrest—it happened In Myanmar, where according to Amnesty International, meta algorithms fueled violence against the Rohingyas.
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see larger context
As commercial entities with a global reach, social media platforms have their own ideological interests and interpretations of free speech, which may not align with the laws and cultural context of a country. This is where the potential threat to national sovereignty arises.
Consider the wider context. Following Twitter’s acquisition by Elon Musk in October 2022, speculations rife about the organization changing its stand on India after the new CEO laid off 90 per cent of its Indian workforce. Meanwhile, he also recognized the sovereignty of Indian law. He further added, “Social media laws in India are very strict and Twitter cannot go beyond the laws of the country.” Said, Such decisions underscore the tension between the commercial interests of a multinational corporation and respect for national sovereignty.
Therefore, the debate is not about curbing free speech, but about ensuring that the promotion of free speech does not become an excuse to violate a country’s sovereignty. It is about safeguarding the supremacy of democratic institutions like Parliament.
balancing free speech and sovereignty
Global social media groups should respect the national laws of the countries in which they operate and cooperate with governments instead of acting unilaterally. At the same time, nations must establish clear and fair digital laws that uphold democratic values and prevent their misuse by powerful platforms. The Indian government’s stand against Twitter’s alleged violations is a step in this direction.
In any case, the Twitter of the Dorsey era was not a flat platform. It created a hierarchy by arbitrarily giving blue tick verification to a select few, thus amplifying their voice by providing them with a fulcrum. Elon Musk has tried to rectify this.
A just digital order – a balance between free speech, national sovereignty and social media influence – will ensure that the narrative is not monopolized by a handful of groups and that a commitment to freedom is not used as a way to override national laws and sovereignty Is. ,
India’s experience with Twitter underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the roles and responsibilities of social media groups in today’s globalized world. Dorsey’s allegations against the Indian government and the Modi government’s response highlight the friction between the two.
It is important for academics, policy makers and society at large to draw on these events as part of a wider dialogue on the relationship between social media and democracy. The Indian example serves as a case study to understand the complexities involved and the need for a uniform digital regime.
The Indian government’s staunch defense of its national sovereignty and legal jurisdiction in this scenario sends a clear message: while social media platforms play an important role in democratic discourse and free speech, they must operate within the ambit of national law. The balance between upholding democratic values and maintaining national sovereignty is a delicate but necessary one.
Dilip Mandal is the former managing editor of India Today Hindi magazine, and has written books on media and sociology. He tweeted @Profdilipmandal. Thoughts are personal.
(Edited by Hamra Like)