How to handle challenges of fake news and misuse of cyber space

Now-a-days, fake News is a very common in India. But, before we go into deep of “Fake News”, let us understand what fake news is.

According to Wikipedia, Fake news is a type of yellow journalism or propaganda that consists of deliberate misinformation or hoaxes spread via traditional print and broadcast news media or online social media. This false information is mainly distributed by social media, but is periodically circulated through mainstream media. Fake news is written and published with the intent to mislead in order to damage an agency, entity, or person, and/or gain financially or politically, often using sensationalist, dishonest, or outright fabricated headlines to increase readership, online sharing, and Internet click revenue. In the latter case, it is similar to sensational online "clickbait" headlines and relies on advertising revenue generated from this activity, regardless of the veracity of the published stories. Intentionally misleading and deceptive fake news is different from obvious satire or parody, which is intended to amuse rather than mislead its audience.

Government of India and specially Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) woke up to the “increasing instances of fake news in electronic and print media” in the country, and issued a circular to suspend official accreditation if journalists or agencies accused of creating or spreading fake news.  But the circular was later withdrawn as there were pressures on the government from media and opposition which criticized government’s plan to put an end of Fake News.

Read: 2017's Top Fake NewsStories Circulated by the Indian Media (External link, opens in a new window)

So, the question remains unanswered. How to make media accountable for creating of spreading fake news? How to create awareness amongst common man to verify or to authenticate news before consuming or sharing?

The question again came into discussion during the 15^th Asia Media Summit held in New Delhi on May 10, 2018.

Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice, Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad said that for the Indian Government, freedom of media is integral to polity, duly recognized by the Constitution of India and reinforced by Judiciary in series of judgments. Addressing the summit, Mr. Prasad said that the media has full right to inform, circulate, criticize, advice and counsel. The rights of Media under the Constitution are also subject to reasonable restrictions.

On misuse of data, the Union Minister said India will not allow the country to become a centre of data pilferage, and that data commerce through collusive methods cannot be used to influence its electoral process. Mr. Prasad said all the online companies which are in the business of data commerce must understand the nuances of accountability. He said that when the recent controversy surrounding data privacy surfaced, the Government took a very firm stand on these issues. Shri Prasad further said that accountability is integral to democracy and all institutions – the Government, the Judiciary, the Legislature and the Media – have to adhere to this principle. Referring to India becoming a very big centre of data analysis, he said that there is a need to have a proper coordination on data availability, data utility, data innovation, data anonymity and data privacy. He said that a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge is looking into these issues and soon the Government would enact a data protection law.

Dwelling upon the issue of Ethical Journalism, the Law Minister said that it must be fair, true, properly presented highlighting sights and counter sights and empowering the consumers of news in a decent and independent fashion. The Minister wondered whether the media today, under the garb of sensationalism, paid news, fake news, too much of other insidious practices is addressing to this large issue. This is a matter of debate, the Minister added.

Supporting the principle of self-regulation by the media, Mr. Prasad said that the Indian Information Technology Act mandates that the content going through the intermediary is not dangerous, libelous and does not impinge upon the security and integrity of the country nor should it encroach upon the copyrights. On sanctity of privacy, the Minister noted that the Supreme Court had upheld privacy as part of the Fundamental Rights. But, he added that the plea of privacy cannot become a shield for the corrupt and the terrorists. The Minister elaborated that on the issues of terrorism, propagation of hatred and communalization and on the issue of promoting extremism, there has to be a global consensus that needs to be properly enforced.

Dwelling on the challenges of social media, Mr. Prasad said that the Government is committed to the freedom of press but there is a need to segregate the real from the dangerous. He said many in the Government today had fought against the emergency where freedom was trampled upon. The Minister said that the Government respects social media as it empowers the common man but the language used sometimes in this medium is a cause of concern.

Mr. Prasad further said that the internet cannot become a tool of neo-imperialism. Referring to internet as one of the finest creations of human mind, he said that it cannot remain the monopoly of a few. He said that if Internet has to be global, it must have linkages with local ideas and culture.

Other dignitaries presenting their views on Media Regulation during the session included H.E. Mr. Hasanul Haq Inu, Minister of Information, Bangladesh, H.E. Dr. Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information, Cambodia, Mr. Sam Seog Ko, Standing Commissioner, Communication Commission, Republic of Korea and Justice C.K. Prasad, Chairman Press Council of India. The session was moderated by Dr. Venkat Iyer, Barrister, UK.

In all the presentations, there was a consensus on a host of issues including ensuring freedom of expression and healthy development of an independent media, while respecting individual privacy. At the same time, all the speakers highlighted the challenge of fake news and misuse of expanding cyber space for propagating cyber crimes and terrorism. The speakers also underlined the issues of cyber piracy, patent and copyright violations and a consensus was reached to tackle these problems through cooperative dialogue among different countries.

Thus, media has to act as a sensible fourth pillar of the democracy. The main objective is of media is to inform, educate and to entertain. But while disseminating any news, media should check the authenticity of the news twice before printing or airing it rather than trying to create “sensations” in the society.

Gujarat could not find place on India Promotion Calendar 2012

Khushboo Gujarat Ki (fragrance of Gujarat) could not find a place from the India Promotion Calendar 2012 released by Indian Tourism Minister, Subodh Kant Sahai in New Delhi on December 14, 2011. The Calendar projects India’s cultural diversity by showcasing the rich architectural heritage of the country, its natural beauty and the multitude of faiths, through various tourist destinations in the country. The Minister expressed the hope that the calendar will play an important role in promoting tourism in India.

Each leaf of the calendar carries a border depicting the traditional fabric of the represented States alongwith a brief descriptive. The 12 page calendar depicts Taj Mahal of Uttar Pradesh, the back waters of Kerala, Lotus Temple of Delhi, Golden Temple of Amritsar, Mahabodhi Tree of Bodhgaya in Bihar, Tso-Moriri Lake of Ladakh, Kedarnath Temple of Uttaranchal, Victoria Memorial of West Bengal, Gurudongmar Lake of Sikkim, Hampi Ruins of Karnataka, Jaisalmer fort of Rajasthan and the National animal - Tiger.

The promotional calendars of the Ministry of Tourism of the Indian Government are widely distributed in India and Overseas, with the objective of promoting the tourism destinations and products of the country. They are sent to the trade and media in India and Overseas, Foreign Missions in India and Indian Missions Overseas, India tourism Offices in India and Overseas, etc.

Meanwhile, the India Promotion Calendar invited a severe criticism from the people of Gujarat which could not find any place in the Calendar.

“It is unfortunate” said a supporter of Gujarat Tourism adding “here in Gujarat you will discover centuries of history as spanning the geological core of the earth onto a fascinatingly vibrant future.”

Union Government led by Congress, should not play politics with its political rival BJP which rules Gujarat when promoting the country as a preferred tourist destination, said a tourist service provider from Gujarat.

It is said that Gujarat is unique in its geological and topographical landscape. From volcanic outpourings through bedrock to fossil fields of indegenous dinosaurs; from the art of the neolithic cave painter to the stone masterpieces of a series of civilized architecture. Gujarat has it all.

Earlier in 2010, noted actor Amitabh Bachchan had been roped to be the brand ambassador of the Gujarat Tourism. Since taking over the brand ambassador of Gujarat, Amitabh Bachchan promoted places like Kutch, Dwarka, Somnath and Gir National Park. 

All these destinations are seeing double digit growth in tourist arrivals including 30 per cent increase in foreign tourists. In 2006-07, the figure stood at 1.27 lakh, which increased to 1.70 lakh in 2009-10. In 2010-11, nearly two lakh tourists arrived.

In the second phase of campaign, Bachchan is promoting places like Saputara, Ambaji, Adalaj step wells and the Buddhist circuit. Gujarat Tourism Corporation is expecting sharp increase in tourist arrivals for these places as well.

Over the next two years, the Gujarat Government will pump in Rs.650 crore towards developing tourism activities and promoting tourism infrastructure.

Relief for India Inc - Government of India unlikely to make CSR mandatory

In what could be termed as a relief for India Inc, a top Government of India official on June 20 said the government did not wish to make corporate social responsibility (CSR) spend mandatory, but would instead come out with ‘flexible', ‘directional' guidelines, reports PTI.

“There is no way the government wants to mandate it. If we make it mandatory there can be thousand and one ways to bypass it,” Corporate Affairs Secretary D. K. Mittal said at a meeting organised by the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry on CSR, here in Mumbai.

The government would come out with ‘forward looking' CSR spend guidelines, he said, adding, “It will be only directional and not mandatory. We want it to be flexible. But once the new norms are in, firms will have to disclose their CSR spends or non-spending.”

“Like elsewhere, we want the new Companies Bill to include the CSR code and we want corporates to mandatorily disclose in their annual reports the codes which they adhere to or do not adhere to,” Mr. Mittal said.

To the question what difference guidelines would make if CSR was not going to be made mandatory, he said the new Bill would make the whole process more transparent. The new Companies Bill would be tabled in the monsoon session of the Parliament scheduled to commence from August 1, 2011. The 2 per cent compulsory CSR spend proposal, mooted by Mr. Deora's predecessor Salman Khurshid, had sparked off an intense debate, with majority of corporates favouring voluntary CSR spend. 

At the same event, Chief Election Commissioner of India S Y Qureshi talked about CSR and highlighted the “double standards” of the corporates who were “generous only when it comes to political donations, because there is a lot to be gained from that.” He also said corporate India has no right to complain about governance deficit or political corruption “when you don’t even bother to get out of your homes on a polling day."

With the conformation from the top government officials, the year long discussions whether to make CSR mandatory or not has been put on rest for ever. Earlier in several occasions Government of India has advocated strongly to make CSR mandatory and published Voluntary Guidelines for CSR during late 2009.

Though the former minister Salman Khurshid advocated strongly for minimum two per cent spending for the cause of Environment or Sustainable Development for the society, the present minister may not be falling on the same line. The reason could be pressure from the big corporates on the present minister who may have succumbed under the repeated requests or threats and allowed companies to pollute environment. Whether Team Anna listening?

Honeymoon with Mauritius is over, India Inc looking for Singapore

After Mauritius, is Singapore gaining popularity for India Inc?

Singapore is now becoming a preferred destination for India based companies after the Government of India has decided to review Indo-Mauritius tax pact.

As many as 120 India-based companies are incorporating offices in Singapore every month, taking advantage of the city state as a gateway to Asia-Pacific markets.

Mr Rangarajan Narayanamohan, the chairman of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) said that the chamber is now seeing as many as 120 Indian origin companies incorporating Singapore offices every month. He was talking with reporters while launching of the annual corporate awards campaign for Indian businesses in Singapore recently.

Mr. Narayanamohan said that the community of Indian businesses has grown to 5,000 in Singapore as of this month, up from 4,000 a year ago.

Meanwhile, India has resumed talks with Mauritius to revise the existing tax treaty and have a double taxation avoidance agreement that will help track black money, Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on June 21, a day after the Indian stock market crashed 364 points over fears of a review hitting foreign inflows.

The minister tried to downplay the issue saying Indian and Mauritius had been negotiating the agreement for the last few years but the talks were suspended for some time.

Indian equities markets slumped on June 20, on speculations that the two countries would soon have a new tax treaty that might affect investments by foreign institutions in India. The benchmark Sensex had slumped around 2%.

Market analysts fear that foreign institutional investors would offload even more from Indian markets once the treaty becomes operational.