Demand in RS to regulate fake news, indecent language

Surjit Kumar Dhal, New Delhi, July 3: A demand to frame a law to regulate fake news and indecent language on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook was made in the Rajya Sabha Tuesday.

            Raising the issue through a Zero Hour mention, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said communal riots and societal divide is being created by circulation of fake news on social media.          “Studies have shown that fake news is more dangerous than terrorism,” he said.

            He said lies and indecent language used on Twitter and other social media trigger communal riots and create societal divide.

            “Many people (tweeting fake news) are followed by big people,” he said without naming anyone.

            He demanded a comprehensive law so that indecent language and spread of communal poison is checked on social media.

            Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said the issue raised was important but there is a need to evolve a consensus else there will be allegations of trampling freedom of expression.