Cops issue fresh advisory against social media misuse

TNN | Apr 16, 2020, 06:06 IST

Ranchi: Jharkhand Police on Wednesday issued a fresh advisory asking people to desist from posting or forwarding hate messages on social media. The advisory warned that non-compliance will invite strict legal action, including arrest. The advisory is aimed at curbing the spread of inflammatory content on various social media platforms, such as Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook.
The advisory said, “Amid this coronavirus crisis, a lot of fake news, misinformation and hate content, messages, speeches and videos are being circulated on social media platforms like WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. Such messages can lead to large-scale panic. Never share any obscene things or sexually explicit content in the group”
It added, “Admins of WhatsApp and Facebook groups and creators of YouTube channels should regularly monitor the content and inform police if any member shares objectionable matter. Repeat offenders must be removed from the group. The group members are expected not to post, like or forward any fake news or hate speech received from other members. They should never share content that is violent or hurtful to the sentiments of followers of any religion. The individuals are also not expected to post details of Covid-19 patients or those of their relatives.”
"Before posting, forwarding or circulating any news, image, video or meme you receive, check its source and veracity. Refrain from posting, forwarding news and newspaper reports which can spread hatred or breach of peace," the police said.
Inspector general Navin Kumar said, “The outreach of social media is huge and messages posted there can spread at an exponential rate. Police are taking the threat from the circulation of hate messages and fake news seriously.”