10 Tips From WhatsApp to Spot Fake News
Days after being reprimanded by the Indian government over the spread of misinformation leading to several lynching deaths across the country, Facebook-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has come up with tips for users to avoid false information. On Tuesday, WhatsApp which has more than 200 million users in the country, came up with advertisements in key Indian newspapers to tackle the spread of fake news in what is its first effort to combat a flurry of fake messages that prompted mob lynchings across the country.
“Together we can fight false information,” read full-page advertisements in some top English language-newspapers which is reportedly a part of the series that will also feature in regional-language dailies. The advertisement urges users to check information before sharing it and cautioned them about the spread of fake news.
The messaging platform also presented a 10-step guide to avoid false information. Here are the tips suggested by WhatsApp –
1. Understand when a message is forwarded
Starting this week, we’re rolling out a new feature that lets you see which messages have been forwarded. Double check the facts when you’re not sure who wrote the original message.
2. Question information that upsets you
If you read something that makes you angry or afraid, ask whether it was shared to make you feel that way. And if the answer is yes, think twice before sharing it again.
3.Check information that seems unbelievable
Stories that seem hard to believe are often untrue – so check elsewhere to see if they are really true.
4.Look out for messages that look different
Many messages containing hoaxes or fake new have spelling mistakes. Look for these signs so you can check if the information is accurate.
5.Check photos in messages carefully
It is easier to believe photos and videos, but even these can be edited to mislead you. Sometimes the photo is real, but the story around it is not. So look online to see where the photo came from.
6.And check links too
It may look like the link to a well-known website but if there are spelling mistakes or unusual characters, it’s usually a sign something’s wrong.
7.Use other sources
Look at other news websites or apps to see if the story is being reported elsewhere. When a story is reported in multiple places, it’s more likely to be true.
8.Be thoughtful about what you share
If you are not sure of the source or concerned that the information may be untrue, think twice before sharing.
9.You can control what you see
On WhatsApp, you can block any number or leave any group you want. Use these features to keep control of your WhatsApp experience.
10.Fake news often goes viral
Do not pay attention to the number of times to receive the message. Just because a message is shared many times, does not make it true.
The company added that everyone needs to work together to fight fake news – technology companies, the government and community groups. It also asked uses to make other people aware and help stop the spread if they notice any false piece of information. WhatsApp has previously said that it is tweaking features and giving users controls in its effort to rein in false messages.
courtesy : financialexpress.com
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T'gana RTC strike: Talks between govt, employees successful
Hyderabad (PTI): Talks between employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (RTC) who were on strike and the state government concluded successfully on Friday as the government agreed to the key demands of the workmen.
Following a day-long marathon of talks between the leaders of the employees' Joint Action Committee (JAC) and the cabinet sub-committee, the government announced after midnight that it acceded to the demands, including a merger of RTC with the government, 11 per cent pay revision and elections to the employees' unions.
A committee comprising officials and employee leaders would be appointed over the merger of RTC with the government, it said.
The RTC management has also agreed to address the remaining issues as well, an official release said.
The employees would call off their strike and the RTC buses would hit the roads shortly, it said.
The employees had been on an indefinite strike since April 22 over a series of demands, including the merger of RTC with the government.
Earlier in the day, a driver of the RTC, who attempted suicide on April 23 during the strike, died at a hospital here in the early hours of Friday.
Shankar Goud, a 55-year-old driver, set himself ablaze by pouring petrol at Narsampet in Warangal district when the employees were staging a protest on Thursday in support of their demands.
Goud suffered serious burns, was initially admitted to a state-run hospital in Warangal, and later shifted to a super-speciality hospital in Hyderabad for advanced treatment.
"He succumbed (to injuries) at about 1.30 am on Friday," a senior official said.
The driver’s body was taken to his relative’s village, Muttojipet in Warangal district, for funeral rites.
Tension prevailed in Muttojipet as his family members and RTC employees attempted to take the body to the Narsampet bus station, where he worked, to enable his colleagues to pay their last respects. However, police did not permit this, citing law-and-order concerns.
This led to a deadlock before the funeral could proceed.
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar criticised the Telangana government for not allowing the body to be taken to the Narsampet bus station.
Kumar, Minister of State (Home), visited Muttojipet village in Warangal district, where the funeral was held, and paid homage to Goud.
“They (family members) want to take the body to the bus depot for five minutes. Is the RTC bus depot in Pakistan or Bangladesh? They are emotionally attached to taking the body there. The government is hurting sentiments and creating fear among RTC employees,” Kumar told reporters.
He also expressed anger at the police for not allowing the body to be taken to the bus station and staged a protest, according to a release from his office.
RTC employees and BJP workers attempted to take the mortal remains in an ambulance to Narsampet, but were stopped by the police.
Later, after discussions with the police, the family members and RTC employees agreed to conduct the funeral in the village.
Sanjay Kumar, stating he would abide by the family’s decision, left the village after the funeral was conducted there.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh, a house, and a government job would be provided to the kin of Goud.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the employee’s death and conveyed deep condolences to the grieving family, according to the release.
The RTC employees’ JAC had earlier announced an agitation programme from April 24 to 29, including silent marches and submission of memorandums to MLAs and other leaders.
