The Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh has proposed a new digital media policy to disseminate information about various developmental and public welfare schemes to the residents of the state through social media platforms. However, opposition parties including the Samajwadi Party and the Congress criticized the policy, calling it an attempt to stifle freedom of expression on social media and misuse of public funds.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said we distribute food grains, sing our songs, jail is your home, if you are unknown. This is the truth of Uttar Pradesh BJP government’s new social media policy.
Akhilesh Yadav said that this policy is a bribe given by BJP to show favoritism. To cover up the misdeeds, the BJP government is doing this to create new age charans and liars at their feet.
We distribute grain, sing our songs, prison is your home, if you are a stranger!
This is the truth of Uttar Pradesh BJP government’s new social media policy.
This is BJP’s bribe for favoritism. BJP has become a new-age cow and is falling at the feet of the government to cover up its misdeeds. pic.twitter.com/cQ6BZnBCZH
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) August 28, 2024
UP government is bringing new digital policy
Under this policy, the state government will pay influencers and account holders on platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube Rs. per month for promoting government schemes based on their followers and subscribers. Will pay up to 8 lakhs. However, the policy also includes penalties for creating anti-national, obscene or objectionable content. According to the UP government, it will take legal action against social media operators, influential people, companies or agencies if “objectionable content” is uploaded.
The note signed by Chief Secretary Sanjay Prasad said that in case of uploading objectionable content on Facebook, X (earlier Twitter), Instagram and YouTube, legal action has been taken against the concerned agency or firm as per rules. Under no circumstances should the content be indecent, obscene or anti-national.
8 lakh monthly payment provision
The Digital Media Policy has categorized Facebook, Instagram and YouTube based on subscribers and followers, with a maximum monthly payout for an account holder, operator or influencer of Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 8 lakhs up to.
The policy also aims to encourage display of content, videos, tweets, posts and reels related to schemes and achievements of the state government. BJP hails new policy, opposition accuses it of attacking ‘freedom of expression’ The BJP has hailed the policy as an innovative move by the Yogi Adityanath-led government, claiming it will generate employment and stop the spread of rumors on social media.
The BJP has said that strict punishment will be given to those who play with law and order by spreading rumors on social media. He said that UP’s social media policy will become an example across the country.
