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As per the recent Study, the level of misinformation has increased with the rise in internet usage.
About Misinformation
- According to the United Nations Human Rights Council, misinformation is false or inaccurate information. E.g. Rumors
- It has been identified as the top five risks that will impact worldwide peace and prosperity along with disinformation (Global Risk Report 2024).
- Disinformation is deliberate and includes malicious content such as hoaxes, spear phishing and propaganda.
Major Impacts of Misinformation
- Influencing Voting Behaviour: Prevalence of misinformation in political campaigns is a global trend. E.g., Around 50,000 fake news posts were published and shared over 2 million times in India during 2019 general elections.
- It impacts people’s ability to make critical decisions.
- Alienation: Erode confidence and trust in the political system and civic engagement.
- Health-related misinformation: Erroneous interpretation of scientific knowledge, opinion polarization, escalating fear and panic etc.
- Other: Manipulation of general beliefs, impact on spending behaviour, etc.
Media Literacy as Solution
- It constitutes a composite set of knowledge, skills, attitudes, competencies and practices.
- It empowers/encourages individual voters to critically evaluate news accuracy, reduces susceptibility to manipulation.
- It will help in tackling misinformation without undermining freedom of the internet and media.
Initiatives Taken to fight MisinformationIndia
Global
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