The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a new social media policy that offers incentives to influencers for promoting the state’s initiatives, schemes, and accomplishments. Under this policy, influencers can receive payments for creating positive posts about the government. However, this strategy has been met with significant criticism. Opposition parties argue that no amount of social media promotion can prevent the government from facing defeat in the upcoming elections.
The policy outlines four different categories for influencers, with payment limits based on their number of subscribers and followers on various platforms. For X, Facebook, and Instagram, the maximum monthly payments are capped at ₹5 lakh, ₹4 lakh, ₹3 lakh, and ₹2 lakh, respectively. On YouTube, the payment limits for videos, shorts, and podcasts are ₹8 lakh, ₹7 lakh, ₹6 lakh, and ₹4 lakh, respectively. Additionally, the policy grants the government the authority to take legal action if any paid content is found to be anti-national, anti-social, or derogatory.
Content creators aren’t happy with this and argue that the policy suggests the government is trying to produce content that favors itself and influence public opinion through these channels. They feel that this is a move to curb free speech in the nation.
What do you think about this move by the UP government?