Twitter withholding Meetei accounts raises questions
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 17 2023:
Amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the state, Twitter, now known as X, has withheld a number of accounts linked to the Meetei community.
These accounts were primarily engaged in exposing false hoods, disinformation, and propaganda surrounding the crisis.
This move comes in response to a government directive, raising questions about the contrasting treatment of many of the Twitter accounts associated with the Kuki community, which have often been criticised for disseminating disinformation and promoting a one sided narrative, intensifying the current situation.
Within the context of an ethnic clash, the struggle against misinformation and propaganda emerges as a pivotal aspect of the conflict.
Information warfare takes center stage as conflicting factions strive to manipulate narratives, sow seeds of discord to advance their respective agendas.
The proliferation of deceit, disinformation, and propaganda amplifies tensions, widens divides, and impedes the efficacy of humanitarian efforts.
Addressing this digital onslaught necessitates a multifaceted strategy involving campaigns to promote media literacy, initiatives for fact-checking, and responsible journalism.
Granting affected communities access to precise and timely information becomes essential, empowering them to make informed choices and counteract the divisive tactics employed by malicious actors.
Concurrently, numerous fraudulent accounts are being employed to disseminate disinformation and falsehoods, while others are actively engaged in exposing lies and presenting factual accounts of the ground reality.
According to a Twitter user named Nomangkha, a variety of Twitter accounts, including Manipur Talks associated with the Meetei community, have been withheld without a clear explanation for the suspension.
The message displayed indicates that these accounts have been withheld in India due to a legal demand.
Twitter explains that this implies compliance with a valid legal request, such as a court order.
"In the realm of information warfare, ManipurTalks has stood as a symbol of transparency, countering the false narratives propagated by Kuki sources with well-substantiated perspectives.
This dedication has garnered reactions from diverse quarters, underscoring its role in challenging distorted viewpoints," stated Nomangkha.
"Nevertheless, ManipurTalks recently faced an unexpected setback with the suspension of its Twitter account, shedding light on efforts to suppress its disruptive impact.
The extent of government involvement remains unclear, given the lack of transparency in the Suspension process.
This incident underscores the crucial necessity for impartial voices in ongoing discourse, highlighting the potency of sharing information and the challenges independent platforms encounter in our interconnected digital landscape," the user added.
Nomangkha further pointed out that multiple accounts from the Kuki community, actively involved in propagating lies, disinformation, and one-sided propaganda, have faced no such suspension to date.
The user calls on the government to scrutinise such accounts and take appropriate legal measures to counter the disinformation campaign and mitigate the violence.