International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Fake News in Present Times and Ways to Curb It

Fake news has its roots hundreds of years back but with rapid penetration of internet in all walks of social life has made it extremely difficult to detect and differentiate fake news globally and particularly in Indian context. Fake news has several classifications and divisions that are to be understood. Rampant use of digital gadgets and indiscriminate sharing of random information on social media like Facebook, X, WhatsApp, etc. without having basic knowledge to pinpoint genuine news and arrest the flow of fake news is sure to bring catastrophe to the society. Citizen journalists without media literacy are a dangerous combination. Therefore, basic media literacy along with digital literacy to train the masses to differentiate fake from real is the need of the hour. Immediate enactment of laws to curb fake news in the Indian context is of vital importance.