TCN News - TwoCircles.net

By M. Zajam,TwoCircles.net,

The unfortunate Mumbai bomb blasts of July 13, 2011 apart from exposing Indian security and intelligence apparatus also exposed a sinister design to spread misinformation using internet. In this information age, any information or misinformation spread like wild fire especially after unfortunate incidents like bomb blasts.

Approximately after an hour and half after bomb blast, Ajmal Kasab date of birth was changed to 13th July 1987 on his Wikipedia page. It gave new angle to the blast and this message was pushed on twitter and social media. Message was spread that it was a birthday gift from well wishers of Ajmal Kasab, who was awarded death sentence after a trial for attacks on Mumbai and killing 166 people on November 26, 2008, along with nine Pakistani terrorists.

On the 13th July, wikipedia page about Kasab underwent many changes. Fortunately few hawk eyed volunteers spotted the change and reverted to original date of birth but damage was done and rumour mill was in full speed. Premier news agencies of India picked it up and passed it as news without verifying it. Major media outlets also ran this story without cross checking it. This could have serious repercussions in the country where emotions run high. Birthday news gave credence to the already widely circulated rumours on social media. This incident proved that even media can be easily be fooled.

Press Trust of India (PTI) carried the headline “ A b'day gift for Kasab? “

Asian News International (ANI) carried “ Serial blasts rock Mumbai on Ajmal Kasab's birthday”

Indo Asian News Services (IANS) carried the news “Bombings on Ajmal Kasab’s birthday”

Mumbai police later had to clarify that Kasab birthday is on 13th September not 13th July.

Wikipedia, an online encyclopaedia, is a free web- based collaborative project, where only registered users may create a new article but any one can edit page except for a few particularly vandalism-prone pages. Over the period wikipedia has developed as good source of information for everything. It has over 3.6 million articles in English that have been written collaboratively by volunteers around the world. But Kasab incident has shown that this great information tool can be misused by persons or organisation with malafide intentions.

Few persons and organisations have mastered the art of spreading rumours and campaign of mis-information. This fits into their grand design of spreading hatred. Advent of internet and social networking sites has made their job easier. Government in an effort to check rumours usually jam the mobile signal and monitor SMS content immediately after any untoward incident but they do not have any system to monitor social networking sites. Rumour mongers are always ahead of the authorities.

Sujata Anandan, the Political Editor of Mumbai edition of Hindustan Times, has cited another incident on her blog. On 13th February (a day before Valentine’s Day) she received an SMS saying “Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged by the British on February 14, 1931. And while we celebrate Valentine’s Day each year on February 14, no one takes even a moment to remember our national heroes.’’ As we usually do, she happily passed on this emotional message to her friends. One of her friend pointed out that Bhagat Singh was hanged on March 23 and not Feburary 14.

We need informed people to become eyes and ears of the community so that these misinformation or rumours can be nipped in the bud. Anti social elements take advantage of these rumours and instigate violence resulting in loss of life and disturb the peace.
Muslims need to learn a thing or two from our Jewish cousins. Jews formed The Jewish Internet Defense Force (JIDF), a private, independent, non-violent protest organization representing a few activists. They claim to be involved in pro-Israel digital online advocacy, presenting constant news and information throughout a massive network reaching hundreds of thousands via email, Facebook, YouTube, RSS feeds, Twitter, and major digital hubs to those who share Israel and Jewish news, as well as our concerns about anti-Semitic online content. Even Israel’s foreign ministry is reported to have established team of net savvy young Israeli whose job is to surf the internet 24 hours a day spreading positive news about Israel. They pose as ordinary surfers while they provide the government’s line on the Middle East conflict.

Now this information age, e-battles are now fought on internet. Public opinions are moulded on Facebook, Youtube and Twitter. Realising this US Army purchased a software developed by Ntrepid , Using the software, one member of the U.S. military can control up to 10 different fake accounts that appear to belong to civilians living in other countries. Our community need to adopt these new tools sooner so as to not to left behind in this information war. This war can only be won by using logic, wisdom and just being alert without doing anything destructive.

Few suggestions that will be useful in checking misinformation online:

1. Need to have information and data in one place to refute the propaganda being floated on net. Anyone can refer to these information while replying to questions. This can be updated regularly.

2. Need to develop system involving volunteers were propagandas can be spotted and responded or reported immediately. Keep contact details of Facebook, Wikipedia and Twitter administration contact details handy.

3. People with interest and expertise in particular topic can correct wiki pages if any information is found to be incorrect and place few pages under their watch list to prevent vandalism and spread of misinformation.

4. We also need to create pages for our famous personalities so as to let the world know about their contributions and will give them ever lasting e-life.

5. News outlets regularly carry best comments on particular issues or debate. Volunteers need to put their point of view across.

6. Starting own blog and writing on issues related to community can also be helpful.

7. Any biased, incorrect reporting can reported to The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) or Press Council of India.

8. Volunteers need to respond politely to any article reflecting erroneous views or facts about Islam or Muslims. Retired persons with tons of experience or knowledge behind them can include this in their routine where few friends can discuss over a cup of tea any misreporting and write a letter to editor. Believe me once we start monitoring and responding, number of such stories will drop drastically. Any effort to defame should be challenged intellectually.

9. Most of the news websites invite comments for news and articles. We need to participate regularly.

10.Many reputed sites conduct online polls to gauge public opinion. Voting on these sites will reflect the balanced view.

11.Create google news alert to receive news about a particular topic. It will make monitoring easier.

12.Subscribing to various email groups and participate in discussion. In discussions person you are trying to convince may not get convinced but vast number of people watching from sideline may get convinced.

13.One top blogger of the country told that top journalists are very obsessive about their name, they check all the time what people are saying about them. If you disagree with their point of view, do write as comment or on your own blog, message will be delivered to them.

Recent infamous article by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy titled ‘How to wipe out Islamic terror’ created lots of stir. In this hateful article he suggested that India to be made Hindu Rashtra and conditions be imposed on the voting rights of Muslims in India. Timely action by young activist like Shahzad Poonawala managed to get National Commission of Minorities to take notice and recommending actions. Wayanad MP M.I. Shanavas also filed petition to National Human Rights Commission seeking its intervention. These prompt actions demonstrated that community is awake and it will also send clear signals to persons who survive on hate to behave. Immediate action is the need of the hour.

This 24 x 7 internet has also given us platform to communicate and put our view across without any geographical limitations. With proper logic and reasoning majority can be convinced leaving a tiny minority with hatred isolated. Enemy misinformation/ propagandas need to be destroyed using Facebook, Twiter and other social media as launchers and logic, correct information and data as attack weapons. Battle lines are drawn, all hands to keyboard....

Internet: New tool in the information war

Other articles by M. Zajam