The Centre is considering introducing a social media code of conduct for its employees and officers amid a growing trend of officials posting reels, videos and personal opinions on social media platforms,
news agency PTI reported citing official sources in the know.
The proposed code, once introduced, is expected to apply to all government officers and employees, irrespective of their rank. The issue was discussed at the highest levels of the government, with officials examining the need for clear rules governing what government employees can post or comment on social media, PTI reported.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed senior government officials to examine the possibility of introducing a social media code of conduct, The Times of India reported. The matter came up during a recent meeting with government secretaries. PM Modi also asked the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to accelerate the launch of the “Ek Bharat” portal, a unified platform intended to provide government services to citizens, the report said. Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan has subsequently outlined the action points emerging from the meeting in a communication to bureaucrats this week, as per the report.
It remains unclear when the proposed code will be formally issued or what specific restrictions and guidelines it will contain. The move comes amid an increase in government officials sharing videos, reels and other content on social media, including posts that highlight or glorify their official work and positions.
The government believes there is a need for specific social media guidelines as there are currently no dedicated rules governing such conduct, official sources told PTI. The proposed code could lay down boundaries for officials when posting content or expressing personal views on subjects that could be considered inappropriate, sensitive or inconsistent with their official responsibilities.
The proposed code for government employees comes amid wider efforts by the government to tighten regulation of social media platforms and online content. Last month, the government reduced the deadline for social media companies to remove “unlawful information” from 36 hours to three hours after receiving a valid notice from the government or a court.
The move came alongside measures targeting deepfakes and AI-generated content. MeitY directed intermediaries to ensure that permissible AI-generated content carries clear labels and traceable metadata so users can identify synthetically generated material.
The revised IT rules also require platforms to raise awareness among users about the legal consequences of posting unlawful AI-generated content and impose stronger compliance obligations on social media intermediaries.
