Social media platforms in India have seen stark political shift post 2014: Mohammed Zubair in M'luru
Mangaluru: Mohammed Zubair, the prominent fact-checker and co-founder of Alt News, highlighted the changing dynamics of media and social media narratives during a special event held at the Bishop Jathanna Auditorium here on Thursday. Zubair was the chief guest at the release of the special edition magazine of Eedina.com, where he shared his insights into the evolving political landscape and media discourse in India.
Zubair pointed out a stark shift in the behavior of social media platforms since 2014, when the BJP came to power. He observed that many pages and handles, which were once critical of the government, started praising it after the political change. He remarked that this transformation in tone and approach was a significant indicator of the influence of political power on digital platforms.
Sharing his personal journey, Zubair recounted how his frustration with the system and the visible shifts in political narratives on social media led him to transition from being a full-time software engineer to becoming a fact-checker.
He was critical of the mainstream media, accusing it of selectively reporting news to favor the ruling party. According to Zubair, media houses often pick positive stories from BJP-ruled states to portray the government in a good light, while any criticism is directed at states governed by opposition parties. He also highlighted how certain news stories are framed to target minorities or marginalized communities such as Dalits and SC/STs, creating divisive narratives.
Zubair went on to accuse many mainstream media outlets and anchors of being agenda-driven. He claimed that their coverage often serves to divert public attention from pressing issues and works to safeguard the interests of the BJP government.
He cited the recent incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal as an example. Zubair explained how misinformation and communal narratives were widely circulated across media platforms to politicize the tragedy, targeting the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
During his speech, Zubair stressed the urgent need for more independent media houses to counter biased reporting and provide a platform for balanced and accurate news.
The event concluded with an interactive session, where Zubair engaged with the audience, answering questions on the state of both mainstream and independent media.
Dr. HM Watson, Principal of Karnataka Theological College launched the mobile app of Eedina.com during the event.
Dr. Vasu HV presided over the program and delivered the presidential address. The event was attended by several prominent individuals, including M. Devdas of the Karnataka Dalit Sangarsh Samiti, social activist Vidya Dinkar, Shahnaz M of Anupama magazine, Jacinta Pereira of the Deeds organization, Laxman Kundar, and Dr. HM Watson.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
