Consequences of fake news

Fake news has wreaked havoc in different countries of South Asia several times over the last few years. In some cases, these managed to trigger communal frenzy. This trend has made it clear that the common people lack critical thinking and as such can easily become unsuspecting victims to fake news.

Some fake news items are created intentionally by entrepreneurs who seek to make money from the readership and online 'hits'. A website with high number of hits tend can get a good number of ads.

False information can also arise from misinformed social media posts by people who post regularly without understanding its impact. The rise of digital and social media as powerful platforms has only intensified the dissipation of false news. Social media and online researchers should dedicate their efforts to finding and reporting fake news sites.

Vinod C. Dixit

B-15 Jyotikalash Society

B/H Sundervan

Satellite

Ahmedabad - 380 015