District Collector Of Kannur Fights Fake News By Educating Children In 150 Govt Schools
Over the last few days, eight people have been lynched over suspicion of being child traffickers. This suspicion and paranoia among the people have been created by fake WhatsApp forwards. While not much progress has been made to curb this menace of fake news, Kannur district in Kerala has taken a very appreciable step in this direction.
Satyamev Jayate
District collector of Kannur, Mir Mohammed Ali has started a unique initiative “Satyamev Jayate” (Truth alone triumphs). This initiative aims at educating school children about what is fake news, how is it dangerous and what can be done to curb the same.
“It is basically a training program for students to inculcate certain characteristics in them, to impart certain values in them. We want to encourage them to be more sceptic about the kind of information which is available on the internet and how to differentiate between what is true, what is false”, Mr Ali told The Logical Indian.
How seriously Kannur takes fake news can be established from the fact that a person was actually arrested for spreading a fake message about Nipah virus some days back.
Mr Ali believes that people need to invest in truth. He says, “We have to take sides here and being neutral is not an option when people around you are spreading fake news. If you are neutral, it means you are automatically siding with the false narrative.”
He recalls an incident from last year when there was a Rubella vaccination drive but parents refused to get their children vaccinated because of a fake news. “A fake message was floating around that time which said that if they get their daughters vaccinated, in future they will not be able to bear children. Actually, the opposite is true, when you don’t get the vaccination, the chances of stillbirths increase.”
The program targets students of classes 8th-12th. “The was inaugurated on June 13. We have one teacher each from 150 government school in the district. These teachers would undergo month-long training and they would then go back and teach their students the same. In fact, we have already conducted a half day training for the teachers. This program will be implemented over the month of July.”
Reiterating the importance of identifying fake news
The program teaches children two things, “We explain to them the concept of filter bubble, telling them that if you spend a lot of time on the internet, you will start encountering news that favours your point of view. For example, you tend to believe all the good things about the person you like and believe all false news about the person you don’t like. We use this to teach the children that people might try to take advantage of this sentiment.”
The second thing what the program tries to address is clickbait. “We teach them what is clickbait and how it is detrimental.”
These points are put across in a very innovative way. “We have few exercises like we give students an example of a piece of fake news and ask them what they would do upon receiving such fake news”, Mr Ali says.
The program basically lays down few pointers for students to check whether an information received by them is false or genuine. “They asked to check for the source of the information. Students are also encouraged to politely ask the sender for the source of information. If the sender fails to furnish this information, we ask the students to find out correct information and post it there. This way at least in that space we are able to tackle fake news.”
Mr Ali also talks about the tendency of people to send new or exciting information, without checking its authenticity. “In one of the sessions, I called out a student and asked the class that if there is news that the particular student has fought with the collector, what would you do? Students responded that they would pass on this message. Then I asked them if they would do the same if it involved them, they said no, they would like people to first authenticate the information. I asked them, why the hypocrisy?”
In future, the program will include even more schools. The authorities even plan on educating the parents on the same. “We have already started building material in Malayalam so that it reaches a wider set of people.”
The Logical Indian applauds Mr Ali on this wonderful initiative and we hope that such programs are widely introduced to defeat the evil that fake news has become.
courtesy : thelogicalindian.com
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Use Carnatic music to promote Kannada language: Nirmala Sitharaman
Mysuru (Karnataka), Nov 8: Kannada language through 'bhakti sangeetha' touches the core of the heart directly, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said here on Friday.
Sitharaman was speaking at Mysuru Sangeetha Sugandha Festival being organised by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Sangeet Natak Akademi to showcase Karnataka’s musical and cultural heritage.
The festival, which was inaugurated on November 8 will be held till November 10.
Sitharaman during her keynote address said Mysuru Sangeetha Sugandha should aim not just promoting Dasa Keerthana or Carnatic music, but should also use the platform to promote Kannada language.
"I understand a lot of emphasis is placed on Carnatic music, on the GI (geographical indication) items from around this area. But personally, I strongly believe Kannada language, through bhakti sangeetha, is something which touches the core of one's heart directly," said Sitharaman, urging the organisers to use that to promote Kannada.
She also said Mysuru is the right place for the Sangeetha Sugandha festival, for it is not only home to many stalwarts of Carnatic music but even one of its royal family members – the last ruling Maharaja of Mysuru Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar – was an ardent musician, who has composed a lot of songs.
But she said the state government should make all the efforts possible to ensure the festival reaches many outside Karnataka digitally.
"If we can build through word of mouth, through media, through our contacts so that all Kannadigas, wherever they live, link through digital mode and enjoy the beauty of this language and the beauty of this sangeetha,” added Sitharaman.
She also said the Central government too has put in a lot of thought in preparing for the event.
"That is why the events are also going to be held in many places, including the National Gallery of Modern Art in Bengaluru, where a Carnatic vocalist will be singing," said Sitharaman.
According to her it is also going to be held in Aparameya Swamy temple in Doddamalluru of Ramanagara district, Sri Rama Mandira in Rudrapatna of Hassan district and even in Araga of Shimoga district, the birthplace of Purandara Dasa, considered the father of Carnatic music.
Sitharaman also said in future many events are being planned around Karnataka Rajyotsava.
"From here on, every year on the first weekend in November – Friday, Saturday, Sunday – this festival for promoting Mysuru, Kannada and sangeetha will be undertaken on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture," she said.
She urged people to come and support these efforts as they have always had.
"The artists do not need anything more than the recognition, which you, as a city of culture, have always had. I appeal to you to keep that momentum up. Support these artists. Promote Karnataka, promote Carnatic music and promote the sweet Kannada language," added the finance minister.
Earlier, a man had interrupted the event to make a request to Sitharaman.
He walked up to the stage where Sitharaman was seated and insisted that 'guarantees' should not be announced in the poll-bound Maharashtra. He was escorted out of the auditorium and the programme continued.
The event was also attended by Karnataka Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa, Union Minister Suresh Gopi and Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadutta Wodeyar.
Smt @nsitharaman addresses the audience at the inauguration of 'Mysuru Sangeetha Sugandha 2024' Festival in Mysuru, Karnataka.
— Nirmala Sitharaman Office (@nsitharamanoffc) November 8, 2024
Also present on the occasion are Shri Suresh Gopi (@TheSureshGopi), Hon'ble Minister of State for Tourism & Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Yaduveer… pic.twitter.com/fgGTTUa2KE
