Menace of Misinformation

Online content is the new storehouse of information for people. Many online platforms are working in the field of information dissemination. Social media is one of them. The content posted here is not first hand. These platforms rely on other online sources for information and modify it to avoid plagiarism. This modification often takes the form of the intentional addition of more spice to the news to make it interesting and attract readers. This leads to disinformation and misinformation. Now it is becoming a menace at a global level.

The main reasons for misinformation include-
-Lack of proper research- Without knowing the adverse effects of misinformation online content authors post wrong facts mostly due to lack of knowledge and ignorance.
-Cascade effect- When one author refers to a wrong source that is already corrupted by modification, the content is bound to convey the wrong message. The chain of misinformation goes on and in many cases, the meaning of the fact changes completely.
-Social media platforms work to maximise likes and views. To attract audience facts are often misconstrued intentionally. This can take a dangerous turn like raging communal intolerance among people. The mob lynching cases are examples of the terrible effects of cooking facts.

Spreading rumours is not new. It is just that with the use of the internet, rumours spread like wildfire. Religious intolerance, casteism, and hatred have become prevalent. Thus to break the chain the government of India took stern measures. The latest tussle between WhatsApp and the government is a result of this. The new IT rules, 2021 is an attempt to control the free flow of misinformation. Its provisions with regard to disinformation include the following-

-It categorises social media intermediaries into- social media intermediaries and significant social media intermediaries
-In case due diligence is not followed by the intermediaries then the harbour provisions mentioned in section 70 of the IT act that gives them legal immunity will not apply.
-The grievance redressal mechanism was made mandatory. The grievance officer will have to take note of the complaint within 24 hours and resolve it within 15 days. A monthly compliance report must be submitted enlisting the complaints.
-Significant social intermediaries especially those providing messaging services shall enable tracing of the originator of first information. It is required only for prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution or punishment of an offence related to sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states, or public order or of incitement to an offence relating to the above or in relation with rape, sexually explicit material or child sexual abuse material punishable with imprisonment for a term of not less than five years.
-An intermediary upon receiving actual knowledge in the form of an order by a court or being notified by the Appropriate Govt. or its agencies through an authorised officer should not host or publish any information which is prohibited under any law in relation to the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, public order, friendly relations with foreign countries etc.
-Publishers of news on digital media have to follow the norms of the Journalistic conduct of the Press Council of India and the programme code under the cable television networks regulation Act, 1995.

There was an uproar against the new rules. Few people interpreted the new rules as an attack on the right to privacy. The debate is still going on.
During the pandemic footfall of people and the average time spent on social media skyrocketed. Misinformation about the vaccine and the virus was circulated which became a huge problem in dealing with the pandemic. Vaccine hesitation instead of promotion of vaccine was spread via social media and this delayed the progress of immunization. The solution to the problem lies in building trust in the government so that the public can differentiate between fact and fake. Educating people about the disasters of misinformation so that people voluntarily give a second thought about posting content online.
Coercive actions cannot improve the situation of misinformation ‘cause people have the freedom of speech and expression envisioned in article 19 of the constitution of India. Hence nudge or behavioural nudge can be the way forward in dealing with misinformation avalanche. The realization that with freedom there comes responsibility people will become responsible Internet users.