Watch | Media Coverage of Bulandshahr Temple Vandalism Is a Case Study on Fake News
A recent incident in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr has become a remarkable case study that highlights the detrimental role played by a large section of the mainstream media in spreading fake and harmful news.
On May 31, 2023, in Baral village of Bulandshahr, statues of several Hindu deities in four temples were vandalised. Immediately, rumours were spread that it was the work of members of the Muslim community. However, within a few days, on June 8, the police's investigation revealed that it was not Muslims, but rather intoxicated Hindus who had vandalised the statues.
Four individuals, including prime accused Harish Sharma, were arrested for vandalising 17 idols of Hindu deities in four different temples located in the Bulandshahr.
But before the police reached a conclusion, the incident was given a communal colour on social media. Among them was a Twitter account with the name Ajay Chauhan, which is known for spreading misinformation, according to Alt News.
Several news channels also abandoned their duty to provide accurate information and reported in a manner that further fuelled public sentiment. As an example, a reporter from Zee News stated, "If it were just one temple, we could consider it mischief, but considering that statues from 4-5 temples were vandalized, we can infer a conspiracy."
This information was extensively circulated throughout the day, with live coverage lasting eight hours on the YouTube channel of 'Zee News,' which garnered over 500,000 views.
The following day, news anchors also echoed the same narrative and sentiments expressed in Ajay Chauhan's tweet.
One characteristic of fake news is that even if it is proven to be false, it can have significant consequences. The real impact of the fake news regarding the vandalism of temples in Bulandshahr and its consequences on communal harmony is yet to be determined.
The Wire's Zeeshan Kaskar details why it is essential to reflect upon the responsibility of media outlets in ensuring accurate and unbiased reporting and thus safeguarding the integrity of information disseminated to the public.
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