Facebook Denies WSJ Claims Of Ankhi Das Favouring BJP During 2019 Lok Sabha Elections

Supported by

A day after the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published an article pointing at several internal posts by Facebook India’s public policy head Ankhi Das between 2012 and 2014, also the time when the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured victory, Facebook said these posts ‘are being taken out of context.’

According to the WSJ article, Das, in October 2012 wrote, ‘Success in our Gujarat Campaign,’ in connection with the training of Narendra Modi’ team and also noting that the campaign was about to reach a million fans on the social media platform.

As per the article, the day before PM Modi and the BJP won the2014 general elections, Das wrote, ‘We lit a fire to his social media campaign and the rest is of course history.’

In a message shared on a group created for Facebook’s employees in India, she also referred to PM Modi as ‘George W. Bush of India’ and referred to him as the ‘strongman’ who brought an end to the Congress’s rule.

Facebook offered training to several political parties in India on ways to use the platform to gather supporters. Modi’s 2012 campaign as chief minister of Gujarat was also included in this campaign.

Another WSJ article published on 14 August had claimed that Facebook chose to ignore hate speech made by Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leaders on its platform. The report alleged that Das, ‘opposed applying hate-speech rules’ to at least four individuals and groups linked with the BJP even though they were ‘flagged internally for promoting or participating in violence’.

Also Read: ‘No Place For Hate Speech, Denounce Bigotry In Every Form’: Facebook India Head Amid Political Row

#PoweredByYou We bring you news and stories that are worth your attention! Stories that are relevant, reliable, contextual and unbiased. If you read us, watch us, and like what we do, then show us some love! Good journalism is expensive to produce and we have come this far only with your support. Keep encouraging independent media organisations and independent journalists. We always want to remain answerable to you and not to anyone else.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Featured

Amplified by

P&G Shiksha

P&G Shiksha Turns 20 And These Stories Say It All

Amplified by

Isha Foundation

Sadhguru’s Meditation App ‘Miracle of Mind’ Hits 1 Million Downloads in 15 Hours, Surpassing ChatGPT’s Early Growth

Recent Stories

Zero Attendance, Full Salary: Madhya Pradesh Cop Received ₹28 Lakh Without Reporting for Duty in 12 Years; Probe Ordered

Trump Says BRICS Nations Including India Will Face 10% US Tariff Citing Dollar Threat After Bloc Summit

Nepal Flash Floods Kill 7, Wash Away Key Bridge Near China Border; Dozens Missing Amid Heavy Rains

Contributors

Writer : 
Editor : 
Creatives :