NEW DELHI: Content for social media should be generated in a restrained and responsible manner by keeping reactions to such content in mind, Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said on Friday, adding that while he was against controlling social media, such platforms would serve people well if they follow the ‘principle of moderation’ to minimise offensive posts.
“Provocation should not be the objective. Sharing of views for better perspectives should be,” Naidu said.
During an informal interaction with mediapersons after adjourning Rajya Sabha ahead of budget recess, Naidu said democracy is all about “discussion and negotiated resolution of differences”. “It inherently calls for moderation without taking to extremes. It applies to both the issues concerning social media and farmers’ agitation,” he said.
The RS chairman also referred to the controversy over Twitter’s taking down and then restoring some accounts owing to controversial statements on the farmers’ agitation and said the best way to make effective use of social media without offending others is to adopt the principle of moderation.
He said he was “against controlling social media”, but maintained that such platforms should not be misused and abused and “social media platforms should not be allowed to be converted into theatres of war since wars are hazardous to all.”
Speaking on the farmers’ agitation, Naidu also said taking “extreme or maximalist positions” would not help resolve the current impasse. He said both the government and farmers are willing to talk further even after 11 rounds of discussion and should make efforts to resolve all issues soon. “Taking extreme or maximalist positions by any side makes it difficult to resolve the issue as it makes accommodation of the other point of view difficult. Accordingly, the principle of moderation applies in this case as well,” Naidu said.
The Vice President also expressed satisfaction over the Rajya Sabha clocking a near 100% productivity during the two week segment. He also said that during the farewell to four retiring members of the House, including leader of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, Rajya Sabha witnessed a “crescendo of positivity” with both the sides expressing and demonstrating goodwill for each other and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the way.
“Such a human spirit brings out the best of all. Even as political differences are bound to be there, such spirit of recognition of contributions of all sections of the House builds bridges,” the RS chairman added.