Increase in hate speech at election campaigns : CAFFE

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Campaign for a Free and Fair Election (CAFFE) says that there is an increase in hate speech at the election campaigns in the country. Director of CAFFE Surangi Ariyawansa said that hate speech and false information on various candidates are being spread during campaign rallies and on social media. CAFFE has for the first time established a unit to monitor social media during the run-up to the election. The unit had observed that certain candidates have been using social media to spread false information and slander the reputation of their opponents. CAFFE also pointed out that facebook pages and youtube channels with a large reach are being purchased by certain candidates and are used to propagate these opinions, which distorts the true public perception. A communique issued by CAFFE states that there has been an increase in hate speech and racial remarks on the political stage. They point out that if this situation continues, it may escalate and result in violent clashes. Since the presidential election was announced CAFFE had received 199 complaints, with a majority of the complaints filed over election law violations and misuse of state property.