KOCHI – Cristiano Ronaldo, Portuguese football superstar, has not donated$11 million to the Kerala flood disaster fund and there are no cracks in akey dam, but India’s fake news machine has been working overtime to fuelconfusion and fear.
The Kerala state government and India’s military have issued rare warningsabout viral social media messages as they confront the aftermath of floodswhich have killed some 420 people.
The deluge of false news, videos and claims also comes as the Indiangovernment steps up pressure on Facebook, WhatsApp and other platforms toact against fake news, blamed for inciting more than 20 lynchings in thepast two months.
Some postings have been relatively harmless. Ronaldo is often linked to bigdonations after a catastrophe that makes international headlines.
But Indian fact-checking websites like Boomlive.in have highlighted howmany people are using Ronaldo’s supposed donation to criticise the federalgovernment’s response to the crisis.
The central government has pledged almost $100 million in aid so far.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijaran issued a Twitter warning after aviral fake video said there were cracks in the Mullaperiyar dam in Kerala’sIdukki district.
Fake Fatigues
In the clip an unidentified man, quoting a supposed friend in the office ofPrime Minister Narendra Modi, says that within three hours the surroundingarea will be inundated.
“I wish to inform all that the state government will now take very strictaction against such people,” Vijayan said.
The Indian Army in turn debunked a fake video where a man in militaryfatigues is seen talking about the relief operations and slamming theKerala chief minister.
“Imposter wearing army combat uniform in video spreading disinformationabout rescue and relief efforts,” the army tweeted.
“Every effort (being made) by all and Indian army to overcome thisterrifying human tragedy,” it said, urging people to inform authoritiesabout suspicious news.
Joke news peddled by parody accounts on Twitter have also caused distress.
“Man refuses to accept a saffron life jacket, dies as a result,” read aheadline on a story by Fault News which describes itself as a satiricalportal.
Saffron is the most sacred colour for Hindus. They are the majority inKerala, a state of 33 million people, and there is rivalry with Christianand Muslim communities.
In yet another instance, an image of a flooded car park at a Renaultdealership in the main city of Kochi turned out to be an old photo.
Fake news is often deadly in India. Hoax messages about child kidnappersbeing seen in villages spread like wildfire on platforms such as WhatsApp,which boasts more than 200 million users in India.
Mobs quickly gather to target the alleged intruders. More than 20 innocentpeople have been killed across India since June.
Facebook is investigating intensively to counter fake news in India andother countries, hiring teams to track content and linking withfact-checking groups, its officials say.
The Indian government demanded that Facebook-owned WhatsApp clamp down onfake news in talks this week with its chief executive Chris Daniels.
Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said he was assuredthat WhatsApp “will soon take steps” to comply with the demands.