Fake News- a Real Problem

“Beware of false news; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”

-George Bernard Shaw

In the era of the internet, everything – from news to information to entertainment has shifted online. Social media is being used widely for connecting with people, showcasing one’s talent and expressing one’s views. The internet has led to every user becoming knowledgeable and well-informed.

But, due to the spread of information being very quick and easy, fake news is being circulated daily. Baseless facts, untrue news and deliberate misquotations of public figures has become very common and is read and believed by many. Fake news in India is a big problem because it is the largest market for applications like WhatsApp, which is one of the main platforms for the spread of such news.

Fake news spreading through the country has become a serious problem, with the potential of it even resulting in mob violence . In the current scenario, misinformation is turning out to be a nuisance due to hundreds of edited videos, messages and rumours being circulated claiming to either have a natural remedy for COVID-19 or providing data stating that a vaccine has been made for the same. Many people, even educated ones, believe such forwards due to lack of awareness and add fuel to fire.

As Prime Minister Modi rightly said, fake news is a deadly virus. All of us need to act smartly and decisively to combat this virus, which spreads extremely fast. To stop the spread of fake news, we should scrutinize the source and validity of any news before believing it or sharing it with anyone. Waiting for print newspapers or reading news online only from selected websites which are trusted is also ideal. We must spread awareness about fake news just stop people from becoming victims to misinformation.

As Mahatma Gandhi has rightly said, “ The sole aim of journalism should be service.” We must not commercialize journalism and let it be what it is intended to – a pure practice of providing people with authentic information. It should not only curb rumours and myths but also challenge the stereotypes one has. So, let us all pledge to be responsible netizens and ensure that we gradually stop fake news to make the internet a safer place to be in.