The Institute of Chartered Accountants has presented new social media guidelines for its members, which includes a warning to not post “hi...
The Institute of Chartered Accountants has presented new social media guidelines for its members, which includes a warning to not post “highly objectionable content” that may have the potential to “create social and communal disharmony” or internal security, cross-border or geopolitical implications for the country.
The accountancy regulator has indicated that such comments would be construed as professional misconduct that could lead to disciplinary proceedings against a member and even cancellation of registration of a student.
The institute, however, did not explain how it will regulate commentary on social media or define what constitutes threat to national security or disturbing communal harmony.
In an advisory published to its website on February 11, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India said it came across “certain instances” where members and students have expressed professional or academic grievances on social media without first approaching the regulator. Some have also written to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and other higher forums, it said.
Not just that, but “some of these posts are highly objectionable which have the potential to create social and communal disharmony, threatening peace, tranquility and may disrupt the security of the nation, public order and friendly relations with other nations,” the accountancy regulator added.
The material posted on social media was...
