Social media and messaging apps have transformed how people interact, share information, and disseminate news.
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Social media and messaging apps have transformed how people interact, share information, and disseminate news. This has also changed news consumption patterns, thereby affecting the landscape of traditional media such as newspapers, radio, and television worldwide. These powerful communication tools enable individuals and communities to access information in real-time, without geographical barriers, and facilitate instant communication, proving particularly helpful for the success of welfare programmes, awareness campaigns, and disaster relief efforts. While social media has become an inseparable part of our lives, it is not without its drawbacks. Worryingly, it has become a breeding ground for misinformation, disinformation, cheap propaganda, inflammatory hate speech, cybercrime, cyberbullying, and fake news. We have witnessed numerous instances where social media posts have served as catalysts for real-world violence, including disastrous events. For instance, rumours and misinformation on social media exacerbated the deadly ethnic conflict between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo communities of Manipur in 2023, which resulted in over 260 deaths and rendered more than 60,000 people homeless, though other underlying factors may also have contributed. False content, including graphic videos and images, was widely shared following the violence on 3rd May, despite the suspension of internet services intended to curb the spread of rumours, which only added fuel to the fire. In another instance, a student from Nagaland studying at Kaziranga University in Assam landed himself in trouble last year after his remarks about the late Assamese singer Zubeen Garg were recorded and shared online by individuals, leading to his suspension from the university. These incidents demonstrate that digital platforms amplify content at an unprecedented scale and speed, making it almost impossible to retract or undo the harm once it has been shared.
Interestingly, Nagaland Police has issued an advisory asking group administrators and members of social media platforms not to post or share offensive, misleading, and unlawful content that could disturb public peace and tranquillity, warning that appropriate legal action would be initiated against offenders as per the provisions of law. The police also advised users to verify information before sharing and refrain from posting content that may incite hatred, violence, panic, or public disorder. This is a welcome move as instances of users sharing sensitive information, including details about rape victims, have increased. While regulatory measures have become necessary amid growing cases of social media abuse, freedom of expression cannot be compromised. Any move that gives room for people in power and the authorities to manipulate the law to suppress dissent, which is considered a foundational pillar of democracy, will do more harm than good. Striking a balance between freedom of expression and regulation is the way forward.