The Hindu (Kochi)

False narratives, conspiracy theories mark Lok Sabha election campaign

- G. Anand

Šnger at the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

False claims about EVM fraud, communally polarising posts, the use of deepfake to denigrate candidates, and politicall­y loaded videos and images to tilt the playing Šeld have blurred the line between fact and Šction.

Complaints

With its high mobile phone penetratio­n, computer literacy, overwhelmi­ng social media involvemen­t and a young demographi­c hooked to Instagram reels, opposing political alliances have electronic­ally condensed their campaigns to Št the size of mobile phone screens. However, the fallout of online misinforma­tion and slander often spilt into the physical world, resulting in complaints and political sparring.

On Thursday, KPCC acting president M.M. Hassan moved the Election Commission against the CPI (M)’s o„cial newspaper Deshabhima­ni. Mr. Hassan alleged that the newspaper published a headline caricaturi­ng the Congress as a vile party Šxated on using explicit content to denigrate rivals. An online slander campaign against former Health Minister and CPI(M) candidate in Vadakara K.K. Shailaja reportedly prompted the “editorial pushback.”

Opposing social media campaigns have targeted candidates by accentuati­ng their misstateme­nts, awkward moments and past ga¤es to perforate the seriousnes­s of their respective political messaging.

The State police said they have taken cognisance of 42 instances of misuse of social media to spread election misinforma­tion, target women, spread lies about EVMs and create communal and social polarisati­on. However, the detections so far are merely the iceberg’s tip.

Neverthele­ss, opposing fronts seem conŠdent that politicall­y motivated falsehoods on social media would have some transient sensationa­l value but little impact on the choice of Kerala voters whose political views are arguably hard to budge.

Police say they have taken cognisance of 42 instances of misuse of social media

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