The Spread of Misinformation is the New Normal.

We are currently surrounded in a state of biased and opinionated news throughout electronic media and social media. The widespread practice prevailing in the contemporary times is the spread of fake and fabricated information in the name of news. We are in a constant state of oblivion, unaware of the truths and do not pay heed to at least ponder about the veracity of the facts because what is shown to us we accept it as proper. The constant supply of fabricated facts has taken the new place in the modern educated society and people too participate in sharing them in large numbers. Even if anyone tries to check the authenticity or looks beyond what is provided, it is still difficult to fathom about the facts stated because fabrication has reached a new level.

There is a difference between news and views and that is a cumbersome job to find out the reality or to say to arrive at actuality. Media is regarded as the fourth pillar of democracy and thus there is an enormous responsibility with the media personnel to carry out their job for larger public interest. However, many of the media sources have become lapdogs of few from being a watchdog of democracy. The best practices of media can be seen in Japan where they only broadcast the technological developments, economy, foreign affairs, current on going policies, etc which have no correlation with any kind of political disputes or rivalries. Such standards of media enthuses a spirit of hardwork among the citizens and in result they strive to take their country to newer heights.

               However in a eerie manner ours is the contrary wherein much of drama revolves around high pitched political drama and debates which comprises of aggressive defence and accusations for lengthy hours. At the end we the people of India remain bereft of the actual developments and advancements happening in the nation but actively engage ourselves in such debates among our peers. The repercussions are serious because society accepts what is shown to it in first instance without spending much time to verify the genuineness. Hence we can very well ascertain the level of impact of social and electronic media has in today’s context. The more responsible the media is, the more peaceful the society will be because it is a simple fact that what we feed to the mind is what we allow it to think.

I would like to express that we have to take our own responsibilities while dealing with the internet based resources as what is shown doesn’t mean it is accurate always. The ramifications of frivolous contents disguised as news creates serious rifts in the society.  Since there is no hope that media will mend its ways and adopt practices like Japan, hence we have to carry our own understanding while dealing with any matter as there is so much chaos in the society that it is becoming unbearable to speak out our mind. The best remedy is that in the era of misinformation, ignorance is really a choice to consider but if there is any kind of abusive/obscene/ material we must report that to the concerned authorities for strict action against offenders. We must learn and unlearn simultaneously to have a broad sense of opinion because ultimately humans are rational beings and by virtue of their rationality they can differentiate between just and unjust, fair and unfair, vice and virtues, good and bad. Even if we don’t arrive at conclusion it is our duty to constantly come out of our oblivion and try to decipher the right things. The best we can do is to act rather than talk because everybody knows what’s best for the society and good for public welfare.