We have spent a decade discussing the problems posed by social media platforms and looked at issues such as filter bubbles, echo chambers, information silos, viral virus, misogynist trolling and amplification of toxic content. The platform companies have now started acknowledging their role in vitiating the information universe and undermining the lives of millions. Last week, Facebook apologized for its role in the 2018 anti­-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka. An in-house probe found that incendiary content on the social media platform may have led to the deadly violence. The social media conglomerate has also launched a content oversight board, which will be able to overturn decisions by the company and Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg on whether individual pieces of content should be allowed on Facebook and Instagram. Google has launched its Google News Initiative to help journalism thrive in the digital age. Will these initiatives and measures by the platform companies be enough to sanitize our news and information environment? I can reasonably claim that I am not only familiar with the works of two members of the 20­member Facebook oversight group Alan Rusbridger, former editor of The Guardian and Nighat Dad, the Executive Director of Pakistan’s Digital Rights Foundation but also respect their contribution to a free and fair information space. Mr. Rusbridger has written an explanatory note on why he agreed to join the team. He sees the social media giant at the intersection of three humongous crises in front of credible information space: information chaos, crisis in free expression and crisis in journalism. Though he is guarded about the final outcome, Mr.Rusbridger said: “There is, in my view, no excuse for not trying. The balancing of free expression with the need for a better­ organized public square is one of the most urgent causes I can imagine.”

Answer the following questions from the above passage-

Q1.What are the problems posed by social media platforms?

Q2.Why Facebook apologized for its role in the 2018 anti-Muslim riots in Srilanka ?

Q3.What are the initiatives and measures taken by the platform companies to sanitize news and information environment?

Q4.Name the two members of the 20 member Facebook oversight group who are also known for their contribution to a free and fair information space ?

Q5.Why Mr.Rusbridger has agreed to join the team ?