Need to check fake news business

Undoubtedly, social media has given a run for the money to the traditional media and destroyed the reputation of many journalists who could in their hey days get away easily manipulating or hiding the truth to help one or the other political party. The social media has also given an avenue to billions to express themselves, exchange views and learn from each others experiences. It has surely dented the ability of some mischievous journalists who thought that they could manipulate the perception of the people.

Notwithstanding the above, social media has also led to a problem of fake news and misinformation which in my opinion is now fast reaching dangerous proportions and if it is not checked now, it can someday create mayhem in the society.

People unabashedly are circulating Fake data to tarnish the image of Government, circulating photo shopped pictures of political rivals, great personalities to vilify their characters, spreading fake messages to whip up communal sentiments- instigate riots and violence, , create panic amongst masses like the one we witnessed during lockdown at Bandra railway station and Anand Vihar Bus station. There are numerous examples one can give ;

One. Muzzafarnagar riots of 2013: fake video fuelled communal passions.

Two. Pic showing Gandhiji pleading Nathuram Not to shoot.

Three. Pic showing Nehruji dancing with a damsel.

Four. A pic showing an old couple tied to a tree by the owners of Private company who are grabbing the land of this poor couple ; to prove How Mr Modi’s policies are helping the corporate.

Five. A picture of a bleeding army officer injured at Jantarmantar, during OROP agitation due to Police action.

New York Times defined Fake News as “a made-up story with an intention to deceive readers”. These are stories or hoaxes with an aim to deliberately misinform, influence people’s views, push a political agenda , cause confusion or tarnish the image of leading businessmen/ entrepreneurs, personalities and leaders. These can often be a profitable business for online publishers. The Fake news stories can deceive people by looking like trusted websites or using similar names and web addresses to reputable news organizations.

Besides the above, they can also be used by the enemies/ nations inimical to our interests to carry out Psychological warfare. Psychological warfare is the planned use of propaganda to mislead, intimidate, demoralize, or otherwise influence the thinking or behavior of an enemy. In a democratic society like ours where we have a wide network of various lobbies, it provides enemy a great opportunity to misuse, spread misinformation , manipulate news and create confusion in the society or tarnish the image of the leader and its armed forces.

Traditionally we received news from trusted sources; be it print or electronic through journalists and media outlets and barring a few exceptions, they normally follow some codes of practice. However, the internet has enabled a whole new method to publish and share information/ news with very little regulation or editorial standards.

Fake news is no longer a rare or isolated phenomenon, but it now appears to be organized and shrewdly disseminated to a target population. It is believed that the high possibility of these organized bodies coming into existence with the help of political influence. Every political party now has media cell where they have hundreds of IT experts doing this job of spreading misinformation and mistrust just for the sake of electoral prospects.

They abuse, trawl and threaten those who oppose their misinformation campaign and in the bargain they are destroying the social fabric of the society, destroying the institutions, damaging the reputation of honest and hardworking people, vilifying the character of leading personalities of the country.
Through this article I beg the PM and all concerned Officials to frame a suitable legislation so as to put an end to this Fake News business before as a Nation and society we may incur a heavy loss.

Yes, the legislation must be so carefully drafted that it does not impinge or take away the Freedom of expression and our ability to exchange views as being gifted by internet.