Fakes news: When the fake goes faster and stronger than the real!

We are just a few steps away from the general election. It is certain that we will face a lot of “fake news”. What is “fake news”? How to recognize truth from falsehood? What do our laws say? What are the sanctions, the breaches and how to remedy this scourge which is so widespread? Lighting with Me Diksha Dahoo.

What is 'fake news'?

The ease of the Internet is to copy, paste, click and share content online. Which thus contributes to the proliferation of fake news. It is also a new way to publish, share, consume information and news with little regulation or editorial standards.

Many people now receive information on social sites and networks. So, it is often difficult to determine whether the stories are credible or not. A lot of information and messages are “shared” and “sent” online. Which contributes to an increase in “fake news”.
As people share more and more information online, without verifying it, “fake news” spreads just as quickly.

Can we prevent the spread of false information?

Anyone can post a story online or news that circulates quickly on social media. We must therefore question what we read before believing whether it is true or false and also before sharing it or them.

However, people don't stop to wonder if the article could be fake. And, in the age of instant internet access and social media platforms, information is shared with millions of people at the touch of a button. This is where the danger lies.

Fake news spreads and “goes viral” because people click “share” without reading beyond the headline or analyzing or reviewing the content of the post.

To combat the spread of fake news, people should stop sharing everything they see online without verifying whether it is true or false by going to other sources of information.

What are the sanctions ?

According to section 299 of the Penal Code, if the offense was committed by means of writings, newspapers, pamphlets or printed matter or by any means other than words, the person is liable to a fine of at least less than Rs 20,000 and not exceeding Rs 50,000 and imprisonment not exceeding one year.

Under section 47 of the ICT Act, any person, who commits an offense under this Act, on conviction, shall be liable to fine not exceeding Rs 1,000,000 and to imprisonment for a duration not exceeding 10 years.

How to distinguish fact from fiction on social networks?

Anyone can fall for “fake news” online. There are a number of things to look out for when evaluating online content.

(1) Who shares the story?

Check if the social media account is trustworthy and if the information it shares comes from an official source and is credible.

(2) Check other sources of information

Check to see if other reputable newspapers, radio stations or media sites are reporting the story.

(3) Look beyond the title

Read the full article. Because, many fake news stories use sensational or shocking headlines to attract public attention.

(4) Examine the facts

Stories with false information often contain incorrect or altered dates. It's also a good idea to check when the article was published, whether it's recent news or old news.

What do our laws say about “fake news”?

Section 46 of the Information and Communication Technologies Act (ICT Act) provides that any person who knowingly sends, transmits or causes to be transmitted a false or fraudulent message commits an offence. This section also provides that any person who uses telecommunications equipment, or communications technologies to send, transmit, transfer, display, publish, deliver, show or communicate an obscene, indecent, offensive, abusive, threatening, false or misleading message , likely to cause harm to a person commits an offense.

Section 299 of the Penal Code provides that “the publication, dissemination or reproduction, by any means, of false news or news that is true in itself but altered in one or more of its parts or falsely attributed to third parties, when the publication, distribution or reproduction is likely to disturb public order or public peace will be punished.” Unless the person establishes that the publication, distribution or reproduction in question was made in good faith and after sufficient verification

How to combat this phenomenon?

Strengthening laws can help make penalties tougher and serve as a deterrent. To combat this phenomenon, it is also everyone's responsibility to denounce “fake news”. Exposing fake news could allow other internet users to think more critically about the content they interact with.

You should never share a post on social media without checking the facts. If someone is unsure whether a post is true, it is recommended to check reliable news sites to see where the story came from.

What do you propose ?

Everyone has a responsibility to fight against the scourge of “fake news”. Information education must be encouraged. People need to be engaged in questioning what they read online and on social media. It is also necessary to teach them how to verify the content of information before sharing it.