According to NCRB information, West Bengal reported the very best variety of circumstances towards faux information on social media in 2021, which is nearly one-fourth of the full such circumstances throughout the nation.
According to the information printed by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), West Bengal registered 43 circumstances of faux information on social media, of which Kolkata alone recorded 28 circumstances.
Bengal in 2021 noticed a excessive decibel electoral battle between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP, with each side leaving no stone unturned to succeed in out to the folks.
Social media was closely utilized by all political events, together with TMC and BJP, as they contested elections on the bottom and on-line.
“It is a matter of concern but not surprising because in the post-truth era political campaigns are adopting unethical methods to reach out to the people. It is becoming more prominent,” stated Professor Chattopadhyay, head of journalism and mass communication at Jadavpur University.
“More than a authorized situation, it’s a ethical one. We have to strengthen the moral framework to cope with this menace. Some efforts are being made to make folks conscious, however we want extra concerted efforts So that every time folks see any faux information, they’ll know.”
West Bengal was adopted by Telangana in 34 circumstances and Uttar Pradesh in 24 circumstances. Overall, 179 circumstances have been reported in India and 24 per cent circumstances have been reported in West Bengal.
Kolkata’s 28 circumstances account for almost 60 per cent of all such crimes registered in 19 metro cities of the nation. Kolkata is adopted by Mumbai and Hyderabad the place eight circumstances every have been reported.
The Trinamool Congress and the BJP blamed one another for the rise in faux information circumstances in West Bengal.
TMC spokesperson Debangshu Bhattacharya alleged that with the rise of BJP within the state, faux information elevated in West Bengal, social media platforms must also be blamed for this.
“Fake information tradition existed in different components of the nation however West Bengal was an exception. However, faux information elevated in West Bengal after the rise of the BJP within the state.
“After the BJP got here to energy on the Centre, it tried to purchase social media platforms. In our expertise, we’ve got noticed that if we report faux information posted by another deal with, these posts will likely be eliminated instantly however regardless of repeated reporting by BJP propaganda and shadow pages. Not so with faux information. Bhattacharya who composed TMC’s anthem ‘Khela Hobe’.
West Bengal BJP social media in-charge Ujjwal Pareek stated his celebration led a optimistic marketing campaign on social media throughout final 12 months’s meeting election, and blamed the TMC for the excessive variety of faux information circumstances.
“We were very responsible in using social media and led a positive campaign taking up the issues of the people. It is absolutely clear that TMC and its ecosystem used fake news,” he informed the information company PTI,
The CPI(M) blamed each the TMC and the BJP for the menace and claimed that each the events know one another’s benefits and drawbacks and find out how to use them.
“No one can complain against us on this issue as we maintain some morality, which the leadership wants. Not so with TMC or BJP,” stated CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty.
Kolkata Press Club president Snehasish Soor stated journalists ought to confirm their data a number of occasions earlier than publishing the story.
“There are a lot of new technologies available right now like reverse image search, and journalists should use them. Also, a journalist should never ignore any hustle and bustle while reporting. Whenever there is any doubt, it should be verified and re-verified,” Soor stated.
“We are organizing several workshops to help journalists, especially senior journalists, use these techniques and tools,” he stated.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
