64% Urban Indians Consider Social Media Feeds As Primary Source Of Fake News: Survey
About 64 per cent of urban Indians are blaming social media feeds as the biggest source of disinformation and fake news, according to the UNESCO-Ipsos Survey on the impact of Online Disinformation and Hate Speech.
Ironically, 1 in 2 urban Indians (56 per cent) claimed to turn to social media feeds as their top choice for news and information.
Sources of disinformation and fake news. And sources accessed for news and information
Urban Indians believe social media feeds is the widest source of disinformation and fake news (64 per cent), followed by large groups or communities or online messaging groups (42 per cent), media websites/ media mobile apps (23 per cent), television (17 per cent), in-person/ online discussions with family members, friends or colleagues (17 per cent), newspapers or news magazines (11 per cent) and radio (4 per cent).
Interestingly, inspite of being aware of the pitfalls of turning to social media feeds, as it is perceived to be the widest purveyor of disinformation and fake news, paradoxically, 1 in 2 urban Indians (56 per cent) claimed to turn to social media feeds as top choice for news and information. Followed by television (42 per cent), newspapers or news magazines (37 per cent), media websites or media mobile apps (24 per cent), large groups or communities on online messaging apps (17 per cent), in-person or online discussions with family members, friends or colleagues (7 per cent) and radio (6 per cent).
Hate Speeches
At least 85 per cent of urban Indians polled claimed to have come across often, online content that seemed like hate speech. Across all 16 markets, Indians came across hate speech the most, followed by citizens of Bangladesh (84 per cent).
Hate speeches can be found on social networks, comment sections of articles, in instant messaging. And can target individuals or groups of people (ethnic, racial, religious minorities, LGBTQ+ and people with disabilities.
Biggest victims of hate speech on social media across 16 countries were LGBT+ people (33 per cent), ethnic/ racial minorities (28 per cent), women (18 per cent), religious minorities (17 per cent), the poorest members of society (17 per cent), overweight persons (13 per cent), people with mental health issues (12 per cent) etc.
Trust and Safety Measures on Social Media during Elections?
Broad approval (among citizens across 16 markets) for governments and regulators requring social media platforms to put in place trust and safety measures during election campaigns, to safeguard the sanctity of elections. 93 per cent of urban Indians polled endorse this view.
Summarising on the findings of the survey, Amit Adarkar, CEO, Ipsos India said, “The UNESCO-Ipsos survey is pertinent as India is among the 16 markets that go into the General Elections in 2024. Social Media Feeds while being accessed for breaking news and for information, is perceived to be fraught with disinformation and fake news believe the majority of urban Indians polled. There is a strong case for guardrails and govt and regulators need to ensure social media platforms implement trust and safety measures during the General Elections given the risk it poses for disinformation and fake news.”
“Social media is like a loose cannon, can cause immense damage to reputation and credibility during the Elections. All the hate spewed is also unfettered,” added Adarkar.
