Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on Saturday emphasized several major challenges faced by the media. The Union Information and Broadcasting Minister has called for greater accountability and fairness from Big Tech. At an event held in Delhi on the occasion of National Press Day, the Union Minister expressed concern over many things related to fake news and algorithms.
Misleading news spreads quickly
Union Minister Vaishnav said that the information published on online platforms is not verified. Because of this, false and misleading information spreads quickly across all platforms. Ashwini Vaishnav called on online platforms and big tech to fight misinformation and protect democracy.
Fake news is a great threat to democracy
He said the rapid spread of fake news is not only a big threat to the media because it reduces trust, but it is also a big threat to democracy. Vaishnav has also proposed revising the ‘safe harbor’ provision, which protects social media intermediaries like Meta, X, Telegram from liability for user-generated content.
The Union Minister argued that this provision, developed in the 1990s, may no longer be appropriate given the wide reach and impact of digital media.
In addition to this, he asked that we will have to take more precautions with our society than before. There are many sensitivities in our country that are not present in those countries. Where do these platforms originate? So if the circumstances are different, shouldn’t there be different criteria for platforms? Shouldn’t there be more responsibility on the platform?
Union Minister Vaishnav warned that the algorithms run by digital platforms often prioritize content that exaggerates sensationalism or divisive narratives. He stated that this mobility generates social risks. Solutions are needed that balance commitment with ethical considerations.
He said that in a diverse country like India, misinformation and such algorithmic bias can have serious social consequences. We have seen it in many examples. In my opinion, this approach is irresponsible and dangerous for our society.
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