Social media, in recent times, has emerged as quite an irritant given the fact that it lacks checks and balances. In fact, it has literally become a free-for-all with any Tom, Dick and Harry posting anything without checking the veracity of what is said or even the facts. Quite a number of people have been victims of vicious and malicious social posts and the so-called social influencers have even been getting away with character assassination.
Very often disgruntled elements, self proclaimed activists and social influencers have taken to WhatsApp or Twitter or other social media platforms to not only tell blatant lies and distort reality, but have even maligned individuals. What is truly obnoxious is that some self-styled activists under the guise of fighting for the cause of women, upload videos of women and even young girls being not only beaten but even tortured. What is worse is that very often the victim’s face and screams can be seen and heard loud and clear, even when the identity of a victim is to be protected. Ironically, the victims, while facing difficult times in clearing their name, prefer to remain silent.
However, conditions are changing now and the victim is hitting back at the abuser. And going by some recent incidents, the abusers have been hit quite hard. One such ‘activist’ is now facing the backlash of her flitting and malicious posts.
She has been buzzing all over Goa like a bee, trying to draw nectar from anything and everything. Her crude language has often bordered on character assassination and surprisingly she got away with it till the managing committee of a temple decided that enough was enough.
The committee very rightly complained to the police against the ‘activist’ for using social media to malign its members and spread canards without ascertaining facts and going solely by the statement of a person who has allegedly encroached upon the temple committee land. The temple committee was backed by public that manifested in a huge crowd gathering at the police station, thus compelling the police to take action and arrest the ‘activist’.
And the ‘activist’ then changed her tune the moment action was initiated against her. She first apologised and blamed her informant for misleading her. But wasn’t it her responsibility to check the facts provided by the informant? She has till date not admitted to this mistake. And now she claims that her life is in danger without specifying from whom and that itself shows he penchant for histrionics. What about the hardships faced by people who were victims of her irresponsible and often abusive posts? Was not their image and character threatened?
Lodging complaints against irresponsible and distorted posts on social media is welcome as this will ensure some responsibility and discipline. In regular media there are inbuilt checks and balances that prevent abusive and malafide reportage. Ascertaining facts and getting the other view are fundamentals of journalism, which unfortunately is not adhered to in social media and therein lies the problem. Undoubtedly, the overburdened police will now be engulfed with complaints against irresponsible posts on social media. But this will hopefully result in a more responsible social media that raises genuine matters concerning public.