Ready to Vote: Elections, Technology & Political Campaigning in the United Kingdom

The Oxford Technology and Elections Commission has produced a report and recommendations about the way that the internet has transformed campaigning in the UK, the dangers it raises and what should be done to counter them. Interestingly, the Guardian report of this paper is written by their Defence Correspondent.

World Leaders on Twitter: principles & approach

The social media company has set out how it plans to deal with tweets by world leaders which contain false or malicious claims. In July the company said they would base their decision on ‘newsworthiness’, a policy also adopted by Facebook. Now the company says that it will be more likely to simply delete a tweet by a world leader if it promotes terrorism, violence or self-harm; involves illegal goods or services; is intended to interfere with elections (such as by posting misinformation about voting); or includes the private information of another person – especially if that person is not a public figure.

Twitter said that it would be more likely to allow a violating tweet to remain published if it violates rules against hate speech, hateful conduct, abuse or harassment; or if it contains graphic or gruesome media.

For my take on Facebook’s free speech dilemma, read my post here.

Putin tells Russian media to change rhetoric on Ukraine

In a sign that the Kremlin’s attitude to Ukraine might be changing following Kyiv’s apparent acceptance of the Steinmeier formula, the Unian news agency reports that Russian media have been told to give Ukraine a break.

Mozambique election is ‘test for democracy’ in wake of peace deal

The Guardian reports on the polls in the South East African state.