Ashwini Vaishnaw Spotlights Challenge Of Fake News, Urges Media Accountability – News18

Last Updated:November 17, 2024, 11:23 IST

Ashwini Vaishnaw pointed out the key challenges society faces due to the evolving media and press landscape, citing fake news as key concern.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday called for media accountability while addressing the issue of fake news and noted that even aware citizens can fall for misinformation in the digital age.

Addressing an event on National Press Day, Vaishnaw further highlighted India’s vibrant and diverse media ecosystem, which includes 35,000 registered newspapers, numerous news channels, and a robust digital infrastructure.

However, he pointed out the key challenges society faces due to the evolving media and press landscape, citing fake news and disinformation as the first concern.

“The rapid spread of fake news is a big threat not only to the media because it undermines trust but it’s also a big threat to democracy,” the Union Minister said during the event which was attended by several other officials, including Chairperson of the Press Council of India Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and veteran journalist Kundan Ramanlal Vyas.

“Since the platforms do not verify what is posted there so false and misleading information can be found in abundance practically on all platforms. Even those citizens who are considered as aware citizens, they also fall into the trap of such misinformation,” he added.

The concept of Safe Harbor, developed in the 1990s when the availability of digital media was limited to select users in universities and research institutes, provided immunity to platforms from being held accountable for user-generated content.

He mentioned that globally, debates are intensifying over whether the Safe Harbor provisions are still appropriate, given their role in enabling the spread of misinformation, riots, and even acts of terrorism.

“Shouldn’t platforms operating in a context as complex as India adopt a different set of responsibilities? These pressing questions underline the need for a new framework that ensures accountability and safeguards the social fabric of the nation,” he added.

Emphasising India’s diverse society, Vaishnaw said that whether it is language, religion, regional differences or cultural diversity, “we have to be extra careful when we are working in a country like India.”