During elections the chances of fake news circulating on the various media platforms are high. The misinformation that is received from various media platform spreads like wild fire across the online and sometimes even the print media. A case of fake news has been registered recently, which involves the Tripura CM Biplab Deb.
The CM of Tripura was charged with domestic violence as published on the online media sites of CNBC-TV18, a well known news broadcasting agency. The news channel had tweeted, “”#JustIn | Tripura CM Biplab Deb’s wife levels harassment charges against him, moves court over domestic violence (FromCNN news 18)”. The man responsible for spreading fake news on facebook about the wife of the CM filing a divorce against him has been booked.
However it turned out to be that the reporting done by CNBC was unverified. Many news channels following the league published that the CM was accused of domestic violence. Known media houses like Quint, Money Control and News18 were also indulged in spreading this fake news. Later the CNBC network then published a tweet accepting the mistake and published another tweet clarifying the mistakes done by the media agency.
after the rumour was spread, the wife of the CM took to Facebook to clarify that no such case or incident between the couple has taken place and news channels and media outlet should stop spreading the rumour. Her post read, “Rumors have no mouth ,,only dirty, filthy and sick minds generate for cheap publicity and mileage,,and importantly when paid high for spreading such dirty Rumors to gain political advantage against influencial people…otherwise who will follow these culprits… but sad part of it who people react and listen to these empty headed minds, with fake evidence, fake stories and pics used by such culprits, Being female I may say if all of you really loves me and have faith on me kindly teach lesson to these kind of people by boycotting and least bothered abt there existence even…I’m boudi, daughter in law, mother, sister and wife of someone belong to our State,,they not just try to tarnish my image but disrespected the love,affection and respect given to me by people of Tripura. My humble request not provoke nor react on evil heads cheap fake Rumors…Regards”
It is highly unacceptable that media houses spread misinformation about someone with such high stature. Recently, one of the main stream media channel had also accused Narendra Modi of lying about washing his clothes himself. The main stream media has on multiple occasions tried to give wrong information about prominent national readers. It is important to tap on these media houses and stop them from spreading fake news.
It hurts the ecosystem, as the practice of spreading fake news has become rampant in the media industry. Mainstream media is responsible for giving out authentic and unbiased information to people. In the past the CM of Tripura has been targeted multiple times by spreading fake news about him. A report which included ridiculous tweets from a parody account of Biplab Deb was published by big names of media like Times of India. It is disgraceful that media has been targeting dedicated leaders and hurt their reputation.
The unverified news taints the image of important people like Biplab Deb. It also exploits the right to privacy. While very few news channels have spoken against the act of spreading misinformation, a formal apology should be provided by the main stream media outlets who published wrong information about the Chief Minister of Tripura.
The exploitation of press freedom is evident. Media houses are blatantly producing contents that can provide them more views without verifying the facts. It is important to stop this particular practice of using unverified information about important people and then spreading incorrect facts about them. The audience is highly influenced by news. It is necessary to provide them with authentic and unbiased news. It should be told to the media houses that their responsibility and stakes are higher in terms of the audience they cater to.