The challenges of fake news and need of media literacy

Abstract

A credible media and information system is prerequisite for sustainable growth of any society. It becomes more important when 65% population of the country is below the age of 35 years. In the present media environment, which is full of misinformation, distorted facts and biased opinions, the task becomes more difficult. The quantum of fake news in circulation becomes a big challenge for them because they neither have skills nor knowledge to distinguish the difference between true and false news. A big predicament is that they are part of a semi-literate society which is more vulnerable to the rumors and fake news. In addition to that, socio-political environment of the country has worsened the situation. Since media has become a battleground for the political fights, rumor and fake news are becoming lethal weapons. The problem has aggravated due to the increasing use of social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp both by the politicians and political parties during elections. As we know that there are no gatekeepers in social media and also there is also no system of checks and balance there, it is a bigger threat than mainstream media. In this scenario, the role of media literacy becomes very important for sustainable growth and development. But it has its own challenges as well. Hence, this study focuses on how to make the young generation media literate.