AS THE PANDEMIC has spread across the world, so has disinformation. And with few mechanisms to curb the menace, the surge in fake news has spread fear and panic in India.
The messages seem, at times, innocuous. Like an unsigned message asking people to give a five-minute standing ovation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 12. Modi had to debunk it himself.
The fake news about the recent Tablighi Jamaat episode, which tried to portray a community in a certain way, was anything but harmless. As was the false information about resumption of train services, which led to thousands of migrant workers flooding the streets in Mumbai. “Disinformation is not innocuous,” said a senior intelligence official.
The national and state-level cybersecurity cells are buzzing with activity, working day and night to track and kill the disinformation virus. Forensic analysis is underway to trace the mischievous content related to the pandemic and to build a quick and effective counter-narrative on social media.
According to a new report collated by intelligence agencies, 3,162 shady Twitter accounts popped up in 16 days during and after the Delhi riots in February.
Denne historien er fra May 03, 2020-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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Denne historien er fra May 03, 2020-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock
