{"id":232695,"date":"2023-03-20T19:34:15","date_gmt":"2023-03-20T14:04:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=232695"},"modified":"2023-08-28T14:26:45","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T08:56:45","slug":"controlling-fake-news-in-india-and-associated-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/controlling-fake-news-in-india-and-associated-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"Controlling Fake News in India and associated challenges\u202f – Explained, pointwise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n
For\u00a07PM Editorial<\/strong>\u00a0Archives click\u00a0HERE <\/a>\u2192<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The<\/span> spread<\/span> of<\/span> fake<\/span> news<\/span> has<\/span> become<\/span> a<\/span> major<\/span> concern<\/span> in<\/span> today’s<\/span> digital<\/span> age.<\/span> Recently,<\/span> a<\/span> malicious<\/span> disinformation<\/span> campaign<\/span> led<\/span> to<\/span> law-and-order<\/span> issues<\/span> in<\/span> Tamil<\/span> Nadu,<\/span> where<\/span> false<\/span> claims<\/span> about<\/span> violence<\/span> against<\/span> migrant<\/span> workers<\/span> from<\/span> Bihar<\/span> were<\/span> propagated<\/span> through<\/span> social<\/span> media.<\/span> Though<\/span> the<\/span> Tamil<\/span> Nadu<\/span> police<\/span> responded<\/span> quickly<\/span> and<\/span> countered<\/span> these<\/span> false<\/span> claims<\/span> with<\/span> factual<\/span> reports,<\/span> the<\/span> incident<\/span> highlights<\/span> the<\/span> potential<\/span> for<\/span> fake<\/span> news<\/span> to<\/span> destabilise<\/span> democratic<\/span> institutions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is fake News?\u202f\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

“Fake<\/span> news”<\/span> is<\/span> “fabricated<\/span> information<\/span> that<\/span> mimics<\/span> news<\/span> media<\/span> content<\/span> in<\/span> form<\/span> but<\/span> not<\/span> in<\/span> organisational<\/span> process<\/span> or<\/span> intent.<\/span> Fake news\u00a0outlets,<\/span> in<\/span> turn,<\/span> lack<\/span> the<\/span> news<\/span> media’s<\/span> editorial<\/span> norms<\/span> and<\/span> processes<\/span> for<\/span> ensuring<\/span> the<\/span> accuracy<\/span> and<\/span> credibility<\/span> of<\/span> information.<\/span> Fake<\/span> news<\/span> overlaps<\/span> with<\/span> other<\/span> information<\/span> disorders,<\/span> such<\/span> as<\/span> misinformation<\/span> (false<\/span> or<\/span> misleading<\/span> information)<\/span> and<\/span> disinformation<\/span> (false<\/span> information<\/span> that<\/span> is<\/span> purposely<\/span> spread<\/span> to<\/span> deceive<\/span> people).”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the causes of Fake News spread In\u202fIndia?\u202f\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Social <\/strong>media<\/strong>:<\/span> The<\/span> rise<\/span> of<\/span> social<\/span> media<\/span> platforms<\/span> like<\/span> Facebook,<\/span> Twitter,<\/span> and<\/span> WhatsApp<\/span> has<\/span> made<\/span> it<\/span> easier<\/span> for<\/span> fake<\/span> news<\/span> to<\/span> spread<\/span> quickly<\/span> and<\/span> widely.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Political <\/strong>polarisation<\/strong>:<\/span> India’s<\/span> political<\/span> landscape<\/span> is<\/span> highly<\/span> polarised,<\/span> and<\/span> this<\/span> has<\/span> contributed<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> spread<\/span> of<\/span> fake<\/span> news<\/span> that<\/span> reinforces<\/span> people’s<\/span> preconceived<\/span> beliefs<\/span> and<\/span> biases.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lack of media <\/strong>literacy<\/strong>:<\/span> Many<\/span> people<\/span> in<\/span> India<\/span> have<\/span> limited<\/span> media<\/span> literacy<\/span> skills,<\/span> which<\/span> makes<\/span> them<\/span> more<\/span> susceptible<\/span> to<\/span> believing<\/span> and<\/span> sharing<\/span> fake<\/span> news.<\/span> For<\/span> example,<\/span> according<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> India<\/span> Inequality<\/span> Report<\/span> 2022, among<\/span> the<\/span> poorest<\/span> 20%<\/span> of\u00a0households,<\/span> only<\/span> 2.7%<\/span> have<\/span> access<\/span> to<\/span> a<\/span> computer<\/span> and<\/span> 8.9%<\/span> to<\/span> internet<\/span> facilities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sensationalism in the <\/strong>media<\/strong>:<\/span> Some<\/span> news<\/span> outlets<\/span> in<\/span> India<\/span> prioritize<\/span> sensationalism<\/span> over<\/span> the\u00a0accuracy,<\/span> which<\/span> can<\/span> lead<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> spread<\/span> of<\/span> false<\/span> information.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Religious and communal tensions<\/strong>:<\/span> India<\/span> has<\/span> a<\/span> history<\/span> of<\/span> religious<\/span> and<\/span> communal<\/span> tensions<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span> fake<\/span> news<\/span> that<\/span> fuels<\/span> these<\/span> tensions<\/span> can<\/span> quickly<\/span> go<\/span> viral.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Financial incentives<\/strong>:<\/span> Some<\/span> people<\/span> and<\/span> organizations<\/span> spread<\/span> fake<\/span> news<\/span> for<\/span> financial<\/span> gain. For<\/span> example, Social<\/span> media<\/span> platforms<\/span> pay<\/span> content<\/span> creators<\/span> based<\/span> on<\/span> views,<\/span> and<\/span> divisive<\/span> content<\/span> can<\/span> garner<\/span> significant<\/span> attention.<\/span> Therefore,<\/span> there<\/span> will<\/span> always<\/span> be<\/span> a<\/span> possibility<\/span> that<\/span> content<\/span> creators<\/span> may<\/span> attempt<\/span> such<\/span> mischief<\/span> again.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the effects of fake news?\u202f\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Spread of misinformation<\/strong>:<\/span> Fake<\/span> news<\/span> can<\/span> spread<\/span> false<\/span> or<\/span> misleading<\/span> information<\/span> that<\/span> can<\/span> be<\/span> harmful<\/span> to<\/span> individuals,<\/span> communities,<\/span> or<\/span> society<\/span> as<\/span> a<\/span> whole. For<\/span> example,<\/span> in<\/span> 2017,<\/span> a<\/span> fake<\/span> news<\/span> story<\/span> claiming<\/span> that<\/span> the<\/span> Indian<\/span> government<\/span> was<\/span> planning<\/span> to<\/span> introduce<\/span> microchips<\/span> in<\/span> new<\/span> currency<\/span> notes<\/span> to<\/span> track<\/span> black<\/span> money<\/span> led<\/span> to<\/span> widespread<\/span> panic<\/span> and<\/span> confusion.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Undermining trust and credibility in <\/strong>institutions<\/strong>:<\/span> When<\/span> fake<\/span> news<\/span> is<\/span> spread<\/span> by<\/span> mainstream<\/span> media<\/span> or<\/span> government<\/span> sources,<\/span> it<\/span> can<\/span> erode<\/span> trust<\/span> in<\/span> these<\/span> institutions<\/span> and<\/span> create<\/span> confusion<\/span> among<\/span> the<\/span> public.<\/span> For<\/span> example,<\/span> the<\/span> false<\/span> claim<\/span> that<\/span> the<\/span> COVID-19<\/span> vaccine<\/span> causes<\/span> infertility<\/span> in<\/span> women.<\/span> This<\/span> claim<\/span> was<\/span> circulated<\/span> on<\/span> social<\/span> media<\/span> and<\/span> other<\/span> platforms,<\/span> despite<\/span> being<\/span> completely<\/span> unfounded<\/span> and<\/span> not<\/span> supported<\/span> by<\/span> any<\/span> credible<\/span> scientific<\/span> evidence.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fueling communal tensions<\/strong>:<\/span> Fake<\/span> news<\/span> that<\/span> targets<\/span> specific<\/span> communities<\/span> or<\/span> religions<\/span> can<\/span> exacerbate<\/span> existing<\/span> tensions<\/span> and<\/span> lead<\/span> to<\/span> violence<\/span> or<\/span> discrimination. For<\/span> example,<\/span> false<\/span> information<\/span> about<\/span> a<\/span> particular<\/span> religious<\/span> community’s<\/span> involvement<\/span> in<\/span> a<\/span> terrorist<\/span> attack<\/span> or<\/span> a<\/span> criminal<\/span> act<\/span> can<\/span> fuel<\/span> hatred<\/span> and<\/span> anger<\/span> towards<\/span> that<\/span> community.<\/span> Similarly,<\/span> fake<\/span> news<\/span> that<\/span> spreads<\/span> misinformation<\/span> about<\/span> a<\/span> particular<\/span> community’s<\/span> cultural<\/span> practices<\/span> or<\/span> values<\/span> can<\/span> create<\/span> negative<\/span> perceptions<\/span> and<\/span> increase<\/span> tensions<\/span> between<\/span> different<\/span> communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Political <\/strong>polarisation<\/strong>:<\/span> Fake<\/span> news<\/span> can<\/span> contribute<\/span> to<\/span> political<\/span> polarisation<\/span> by<\/span> reinforcing<\/span> existing<\/span> biases<\/span> and<\/span> promoting<\/span> a<\/span> narrow,<\/span> one-sided<\/span> view<\/span> of<\/span> events.<\/span> For<\/span> example,<\/span> the\u00a0extensive<\/span> use<\/span> of<\/span> social<\/span> media<\/span> in<\/span> influencing<\/span> public<\/span> opinion<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> US<\/span> Presidential<\/span> election.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Economic <\/strong>impact<\/strong>:<\/span> Fake<\/span> news<\/span> can<\/span> have<\/span> an<\/span> economic<\/span> impact,<\/span> particularly<\/span> on<\/span> businesses<\/span> or<\/span> industries<\/span> that<\/span> are<\/span> targeted<\/span> by<\/span> false<\/span> information. <\/span>For<\/span> example,<\/span> Chit<\/span> fund<\/span> schemes<\/span> introduced<\/span> the<\/span> concept<\/span> of<\/span> online<\/span> fraud<\/span> through<\/span> spam<\/span> emails.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Health <\/strong>impact<\/strong>:<\/span> During<\/span> the<\/span> COVID-19<\/span> pandemic,<\/span> fake<\/span> news<\/span> about<\/span> cures<\/span> or<\/span> treatments<\/span> for<\/span> the<\/span> virus<\/span> has<\/span> led<\/span> to<\/span> people<\/span> taking<\/span> unsafe<\/span> or<\/span> ineffective<\/span> remedies.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Societal <\/strong>impact<\/strong>:<\/span> Fake<\/span> news<\/span> affects<\/span> the<\/span> spirit<\/span> of<\/span> common<\/span> brotherhood<\/span> and<\/span> increases<\/span> intolerance<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> country.<\/span> For<\/span> example,<\/span> a<\/span> mass<\/span> exodus<\/span> of<\/span> North-Easterners<\/span> from<\/span> Bangalore<\/span> in<\/span> 2012<\/span> was<\/span> based<\/span> on<\/span> false<\/span> online<\/span> threats.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Must read: <\/strong>Threat of\u00a0Deepfakes\u00a0in India<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What are the challenges in controlling Fake News?\u202f\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Scale<\/strong>:<\/span> With<\/span> a<\/span> population<\/span> of<\/span> over<\/span> 1.3<\/span> billion<\/span> people,<\/span> India<\/span> has<\/span> a<\/span> vast<\/span> and<\/span> diverse<\/span> media<\/span> landscape,<\/span> making<\/span> it<\/span> difficult<\/span> to<\/span> monitor<\/span> and<\/span> regulate<\/span> all<\/span> sources<\/span> of<\/span> information. <\/span>For<\/span> example, according<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> National<\/span> Crime<\/span> Records<\/span> Bureau,<\/span> the<\/span> number<\/span> of<\/span> cases<\/span> filed<\/span> under<\/span> Section<\/span> 505<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> Indian<\/span> Criminal<\/span> Code<\/span> (IPC)<\/span> against<\/span> those<\/span> ‘circulating<\/span> fake\/false<\/span> news\/rumours’<\/span> climbed<\/span> by<\/span> 214%<\/span> in<\/span> 2020.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Political pressures<\/strong>:<\/span> India’s<\/span> political<\/span> climate<\/span> can<\/span> make<\/span> it<\/span> challenging<\/span> to<\/span> enforce<\/span> regulations<\/span> on<\/span> media<\/span> and<\/span> communication<\/span> platforms<\/span> without<\/span> being<\/span> seen<\/span> as<\/span> biased<\/span> or<\/span> suppressing<\/span> free<\/span> speech.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Limited <\/strong>resources<\/strong>:<\/span> Regulators<\/span> and<\/span> law<\/span> enforcement<\/span> agencies<\/span> in<\/span> India<\/span> do\u00a0not<\/span> have<\/span> the<\/span> necessary<\/span> resources,<\/span> technology,<\/span> or<\/span> expertise<\/span> to<\/span> effectively<\/span> track<\/span> and<\/span> combat<\/span> the<\/span> spread<\/span> of<\/span> fake<\/span> news.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Technological <\/strong>advancements<\/strong>:<\/span> Advances<\/span> in<\/span> technology,<\/span> such<\/span> as<\/span> deep fakes\u00a0and<\/span> other<\/span> forms<\/span> of<\/span> synthetic<\/span> media,<\/span> make<\/span> it<\/span> increasingly<\/span> difficult<\/span> to<\/span> distinguish<\/span> between<\/span> real<\/span> and<\/span> fake<\/span> information.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lack of <\/strong>trust<\/strong>:<\/span> Many<\/span> Indians<\/span> have<\/span> a<\/span> general<\/span> lack<\/span> of<\/span> trust<\/span> in<\/span> traditional<\/span> media<\/span> sources,<\/span> which<\/span> can<\/span> make<\/span> it<\/span> easier<\/span> for<\/span> fake<\/span> news<\/span> to<\/span> spread.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cultural and linguistic <\/strong>diversity<\/strong>:<\/span> India<\/span> has<\/span> a<\/span> wide<\/span> variety<\/span> of<\/span> cultures<\/span> and<\/span> languages,<\/span> making<\/span> it<\/span> challenging<\/span> to<\/span> effectively<\/span> communicate<\/span> and<\/span> enforce<\/span> regulations<\/span> across<\/span> the<\/span> country.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Limited media <\/strong>literacy<\/strong>:<\/span> Many<\/span> Indians<\/span> may<\/span> not<\/span> have<\/span> sufficient<\/span> media<\/span> literacy<\/span> skills<\/span> to<\/span> distinguish<\/span> between<\/span> real<\/span> and<\/span> fake<\/span> news,<\/span> making<\/span> them<\/span> more<\/span> vulnerable<\/span> to<\/span> believing<\/span> and<\/span> sharing<\/span> false<\/span> information.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Regulatory <\/strong>issues<\/strong>:<\/span>\u202f<\/span>Internet<\/span> users<\/span> frequently<\/span> communicate<\/span> across<\/span> international<\/span> borders,<\/span> thus<\/span> regulating<\/span> it<\/span> raises<\/span> its<\/span> own<\/span> legal<\/span> concerns.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more: Are law and technology a solution to fake news?<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What are the Legal remedies available for controlling Fake News?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Legal<\/span> remedies<\/span> available<\/span> for<\/span> controlling<\/span> Fake<\/span> News<\/span> in<\/span> India<\/span> are:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Defamation <\/strong>laws<\/strong>:<\/span> Indian<\/span> law<\/span> (<\/span>IPC<\/span> Section<\/span> 499,500<\/span> and<\/span> 505)<\/span> recognises<\/span> the<\/span> right<\/span> to<\/span> reputation<\/span> and<\/span> allows<\/span> individuals<\/span> or<\/span> organizations<\/span> to<\/span> seek<\/span> legal<\/span> recourse<\/span> against<\/span> those<\/span> who<\/span> spread<\/span> false<\/span> information<\/span> that<\/span> damages<\/span> their<\/span> reputation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

IT <\/strong>Act<\/strong>:<\/span> The<\/span> Information<\/span> Technology<\/span> (IT)<\/span> Act,<\/span> 2000<\/span> provides<\/span> for<\/span> penalties<\/span> for<\/span> publishing<\/span> or<\/span> transmitting<\/span> obscene<\/span> or<\/span> defamatory<\/span> material<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> internet,<\/span> including<\/span> fake<\/span> news.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Disaster Management Act 2005 and the Epidemic Diseases Act <\/strong>1897<\/strong>:<\/span> They helped (especially<\/span> during<\/span> Covid-19)<\/span> regulate<\/span> the<\/span> circulation<\/span> of<\/span> fake<\/span> news<\/span> or<\/span> rumours<\/span> that<\/span> can<\/span> cause<\/span> panic<\/span> among<\/span> citizens.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

IPC<\/strong>:<\/span> (<\/span>IPC<\/span> Sections<\/span> 153A<\/span> and<\/span> 295)The<\/span> Indian<\/span> Penal<\/span> Code<\/span> (IPC)<\/span> has<\/span> provisions<\/span> that<\/span> can<\/span> be<\/span> used<\/span> to<\/span> prosecute<\/span> those<\/span> who<\/span> spread<\/span> false<\/span> information<\/span> with<\/span> the<\/span> intention<\/span> of<\/span> causing<\/span> harm<\/span> or<\/span> creating<\/span> public<\/span> unrest.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Constitution <\/strong>Provision<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Article<\/span> 51A<\/span> (h)<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> Constitution,<\/span> which<\/span> states<\/span> that<\/span> “It<\/span> shall<\/span> be<\/span> the<\/span> duty<\/span> of<\/span> every<\/span> citizen<\/span> to<\/span> develop<\/span> the<\/span> scientific<\/span> temper,<\/span> humanism,<\/span> and<\/span> spirit<\/span> of<\/span> inquiry<\/span> and<\/span> reform\u201d<\/span> offers<\/span> a<\/span> long-term<\/span> solution.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Broadcasting Content Complaint Council <\/strong>(BCCC)<\/strong>:<\/span> It<\/span> can<\/span> receive<\/span> complaints<\/span> about<\/span> problematic<\/span> TV<\/span> material<\/span> or<\/span> fake<\/span> news.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Contempt of <\/strong>Court<\/strong>:<\/span> Those<\/span> who<\/span> spread<\/span> fake<\/span> news<\/span> that<\/span> interferes<\/span> with<\/span> the<\/span> administration<\/span> of<\/span> justice<\/span> can<\/span> be<\/span> held<\/span> in<\/span> contempt<\/span> of<\/span> court,<\/span> which<\/span> is<\/span> punishable<\/span> under<\/span> Indian<\/span> law.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cyber Crime Cells<\/strong>:<\/span> Several<\/span> Indian<\/span> cities<\/span> have<\/span> established<\/span> cyber<\/span> crime<\/span> cells<\/span> that<\/span> investigate<\/span> cases<\/span> related<\/span> to<\/span> fake<\/span> news<\/span> and<\/span> other<\/span> forms<\/span> of<\/span> cybercrime.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Press Council of <\/strong>India<\/strong>:<\/span> The<\/span> Press<\/span> Council<\/span> of<\/span> India<\/span> is<\/span> a<\/span> statutory<\/span> body<\/span> that<\/span> regulates<\/span> the<\/span> print<\/span> media<\/span> and<\/span> can<\/span> take<\/span> action<\/span> against<\/span> newspapers<\/span> or<\/span> journalists<\/span> that<\/span> violate<\/span> ethical<\/span> guidelines.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fact-checking <\/strong>initiatives<\/strong>:<\/span> Several<\/span> fact-checking<\/span> organizations<\/span> have<\/span> emerged<\/span> in<\/span> India<\/span> that<\/span> seek<\/span> to<\/span> verify<\/span> the\u00a0information<\/span> and<\/span> debunk<\/span> fake<\/span> news<\/span> through<\/span> independent<\/span> journalism<\/span> and<\/span> research.<\/span> For<\/span> example, the<\/span> PIB<\/span> launched<\/span> its<\/span> fact-checking<\/span> division<\/span> in<\/span> 2019.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more: The forecast after a fake news campaign in Tamil Nadu<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What are the global initiatives for controlling Fake News?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Several<\/span> countries<\/span> are<\/span> taking<\/span> steps<\/span> to<\/span> combat<\/span> disinformation,<\/span> like:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n