iWorld
Facebook to block new political ads a week before US presidential election
KOLKATA: Amid large criticism against misinformation and allegation of meddling in elections, Facebook has decided to block all new political advertising on its platform the week before the US general election in November.
However, advertisers will be able to continue running ads they started running before the final week and adjust the targeting for those ads, but those ads will already be published transparently in Ads Library so anyone, including fact-checkers and journalists, can scrutinize them.
Facebook will also remove posts with claims that people will get Covid2019 if they take part in voting. It will attach a link to authoritative information about the virus to posts that might use to discourage voting, and it is also not going to allow this kind of content in ads. Notably, other social media platforms such as Twitter and Pinterest, have already banned political ads on the services.
“Given the unique circumstances of this election, it's especially important that people have accurate information about the many ways to vote safely, and that Covid2019 isn't used to scare people into not exercising their right to vote,” Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said.
For more than two years now, Facebook has been under constant pressure from authorities across many countries on antitrust and piracy issues. The data fiasco really got murkier when the cambridge analytica scandal came out for influencing 2016 US Presidential election. However, it had been alleged for the same outside US as well including Brexit.
iWorld
Coke Studio Bharat unveils Season 4 artist line-up, Rekha Bhardwaj, Aditya Rikhari to lead
New season blends folk roots and modern voices in rich musical mix
MUMBAI: Coke Studio Bharat is tuning up for its fourth outing, unveiling a diverse artist line-up that promises to strike a chord between tradition and today.
After three seasons of blending regional sounds with contemporary flair, the platform returns with Season 4, opening with ‘The List’ that introduces a vibrant mix of voices from across the country. Among those taking centre stage are Rekha Bhardwaj, Aditya Rikhari, Kutle Khan, Faheem Abdullah, Arsalan Nizami, Mame Khan and Mohammad Faiz, alongside a host of emerging and established names.
If the previous season leaned into poetic revival and festive anthems, this edition dives deeper, weaving stories of devotion, longing and memory through India’s rich musical landscape. From Rajasthani folk and Punjabi Sufi traditions to Kashmiri storytelling and urban love ballads, the new season stretches across regions and emotions with equal ease.
Rekha Bhardwaj said, “Every generation rediscovers its roots in its own way. Coke Studio Bharat creates a space where tradition can evolve without losing its soul.”
Aditya Rikhari said, “My music has always been personal. This platform allows that intimacy to grow while reaching a much wider audience.”
Faheem Abdullah said, “Music carries memory and identity. Being part of this platform lets me bring my Kashmiri storytelling to a national stage.”
Backed by Coca-Cola India and in collaboration with Universal Music Group, the platform continues to position itself as a meeting ground for heritage and experimentation.
Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia IMX lead Shantanu Gangane said, “Coke Studio Bharat brings together folk traditions and contemporary voices, creating a powerful cultural narrative at scale.”
Universal Music Group chairman & CEO, India & South Asia, & senior vice president of strategy for AMeA Devraj Sanyal said, “The platform reflects the kind of creative ecosystem India needs, one that honours regional depth while building globally relevant sound.”
With fresh collaborations, unexpected pairings and stories rooted in place yet ready to travel, Season 4 looks set to turn up the volume on India’s many musical voices, one track at a time.
