Social Media in India’s Politics

Over the past few years, India has shifted towards becoming a more modern and technologically advanced nation. Of India’s 1.3 billion citizens, only 100 million citizens had smartphones in 2014. Now, the number of smartphones has grown to 400 million. With the quick growth of technology, access to social media and communication has become easier and cheaper. Social media giant Facebook has over 300 million accounts in India, the largest market for the company. However, political parties are now beginning to use social media platforms to spread misinformation and political viewpoints. One of India’s most popular social media apps Helo has become a hub of spreading propaganda to its users. The Bharatiya Janata Party, one of India’s most prominent political parties, has recruited social media cyber workers and bots to share and promote the party’s ideas as well as slander other opposing parties. In the last election, the Bharatiya Janata Party won by a landslide. Since then, they’ve used social media to block and cast out ideological opponents and strengthen its supporter base.

Overall, India’s technological progression and efficiency has allowed for easier means of communication and retrieving information; however, it’s important for users to begin to realize the political bias and spread of misinformation on their social media apps. India’s problem with regulating factual news and information is not unique to India, it’s also prevalent in the US. Currently, the US has the problem of “fake news” on social media apps. While it’s not so much that US political parties are spreading propaganda through various platforms, it’s individuals and non-related government organizations that are leading the campaign of spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories. Governments around the world need to recognize this growing problem and pass laws to regulate and hinder the spread of misinformation.