A panel of experts uses technology to combat false information and fake news
There is still much worry about the propagation of false information and fake news as the Lok Sabha elections got underway on Friday. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a “Myth vs. Reality” webpage and the “verify before you amplify campaign” as part of its efforts to combat this. With the advent of new technologies, there are still concerns over these measures’ efficacy.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar named disinformation, along with money, force, and Model Code of Conduct (MCC) infractions, as one of the main threats to voting integrity at the news conference announcing the election timetable. The “Myth vs. Reality Register,” which the commission introduced in early April, is a comprehensive database designed to dispel misconceptions and lies surrounding elections. It dispels a number of fallacies about VVPAT, EVM, and election administration.
Through its “Verify Before You Amplify” campaign, the Election Commission is encouraging people to be cautious and thorough before sharing information on social media. With the help of this project, the public will be able to independently confirm the veracity and correctness of material before spreading it, which will stop the spread of misleading information and protect the voting process. Additionally, the commission has been actively dispelling false statements on social media.
Even while the EC has worked hard to refute false information on its procedures and tools, it still has a long way to go. Stakeholders persist in disseminating false statements and accusations about their rivals, both offline and online. Furthermore, the widespread use of deepfake videos and AI-generated material has complicated the process and made it harder for the typical person to tell reality from fiction.
