Nowadays, fake news spreads faster than COVID-19 and causes devastating results affecting the mental and physical state of a person.
I’ve come across so many people who are educated and yet they forward misleading messages, videos, and photos without knowing the credibility of the news.
For example, I recently received a message on my phone about someone claiming that eating chicken is responsible for the spreading of coronavirus!
This was also accompanied by a fake video that seemed to validate that logic wrongly.
This fake news led to a scare and the demand for buying chicken dropped considerably followed by the price it was earlier selling at!
I confronted the person who sent this message to me and asked him if he is aware of the credibility of such news, to which his response was, ‘I am not sure!’
The list of fake news is endless. Messages like sunbath could prevent corona, washing food products with soap, eating certain kinds of food will cure corona, and so on were being forwarded.
Fake news is on the rise in India under Lockdown. As per the study, by the scholar of the Michigan University Fake news affecting people emotionally increased during the lockdown.
During the lockdown in India, people started to spend more and more time on social media. There is a surge in rumors, fake news, doctored videos, conspiracy theories about COVID 19 disease and it’s treatment.
There is a rife of misinformation as the pandemic evolves. Undoubtedly it triggered negative stereotyping of individuals and communities. Even the COVID warriors like Police and Doctors were beaten by people because of this fake news.
And Fake news has become a menace in this period of pandemic not only in India across the globe.
Being a doctor, health blogger, and influencer, I never believe in any rumor until I find the authenticity of the news. And it should be everyone’s responsibility to ensure you are sure about the credibility before blindly forwarding any messages, videos, or photos.
I really appreciate that social media platform and short video creator app like TikTok has launched its Public Service Announcement (PSA) known as the #MatKarForward movement by TIKTOK to create awareness among the users about creating responsible content and stop spreading of misinformation.
The PSA is directed by Anurag Basu and featured Virat Kohli, Sara Ali Khan, Ayushmann Khurrana, and Kriti Sanon who are creating awareness to spread the #MatKarForward video message.
This type of policy and community guidelines make the TikTok platform safe for millions of users. I really like that amid COVID-19 they have created a ‘Misleading Information’ category to stop the spread of misinformation in COVID-19.
We all have freedom of expression but at the same time, the safety and well-being of our communities are on our shoulders. It’s our responsibility to create a safe and positive environment that will protect everyone’s rights and lives.
Spreading rumors knowingly or unknowingly is not good. No matter how attractive controversial video or messages seem to you, please research the authenticity of it before sharing and creating misinformation. Tiktok has done good on this front and we too should follow such.
mat kar forward video was one of the best awarness spreading video by tiktok & was very important during this pandemic situation….when rumours were all around in the air
Pandemic times calls for added responsibility as a rightful citizen of the country. One needs to stop spreading fake news.
Fake news is circulating on all social media platforms. In these times it is imperative to share only authentic information from reliable and verified sources only.
Thats a great movement from Tiktok. Oh arn’t we getting bombarded with tons of fake news from the flagbearers of Whatsapp university. Needs to be stopped.
I read somewhere that the disadvantage of having so readily access to internet is that there are many fake news circulating over the social media this moveement is just the beginning to end the same. Very thoughtful.
Its indeed a great movement! However, would be great if it is initiated on all platforms in India. Looking forward to many such more opportunities.
Fake news spreads most easily on social media… This is a great initiative by tiktok! We should check the credibility of news before forwarding!
Sending fake and incorrect information is a lot common these days. People have been circulating such messages all over and this new #MatKarForward Movement is a good step.
Absolutely on point. We should be responsible for what we share with the world. Sharing and forwarding fake stuff only creates panic and nothing else.
Yes, I have also watched this trend on tiktok and I seriously think this was a great initiative to avoid the spreading of rumours ..
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