Kolkata Police creates short film to spread awareness on 'fake news'
Kolkata: Kolkata Police has prepared a video and uploaded the same on Facebook, creating awareness to check circulation of "fake news", mainly through social media.
Following direction of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the police had been creating awareness among people on how circulation of fake news may lead to deterioration of law and order. The police are also keeping a watch to take immediate action against rumour mongers as spreading fake news is a "punishable offence".
At the end of the 1.08 minute long video, Kolkata Police has left a message that reads: "Do not post anything on social media without confirming an input you may have received. It may lead to confusion, tension and/or unrest. Do not share such posts either. It is a punishable offence."
In the video an office-goer and a youth are seen waiting at a bus-stop. The youth asks the office-goer why there was no bus on the particular route. In reply, the office-goer says that they would not get any bus there as he has received a phone call from one of his colleagues saying that some trouble had initiated at Moulali-Mallick Bazar and it is 'communal in nature'. The office-goer leaves the bus-stop, saying that he has to reach office by foot.
Right at that moment the youth receives a call from another friend, whom he tells over phone that he was yet to get a bus due to 'communal tension' at Moulali-Mallick Bazar. Immediately, his friend says that there was a need to give an update in social media. The youth also says that he will be sharing the same in a social media group. After the telephonic conversation, the youth cross checks with a pedestrian whether there was any trouble at Moulali-Mallick Bazar. The pedestrian replies that there was "nothing as such". The youth finally realises the mistake he was going to do by sharing the "wrong information" on social media.
It may be mentioned that Kolkata Police often posts various messages on social networking sites to make people aware of the adverse affects of circulating wrong information.
