Misinformation poses growing threat to public safety, smart policing key: President

President Murmu has sounded an alarm over the rising menace of misinformation deliberately spread to create panic and unrest among the public. Addressing concerns about the societal impact of false narratives, she underscored that such campaigns pose a serious threat to social order and communal harmony.

The President highlighted that traditional policing approaches alone may prove insufficient against the evolving nature of misinformation in the digital age. She advocated for "smart policing" as a comprehensive response, indicating a need for technology-enabled and intelligence-driven strategies to combat false information at scale.

Murmu's remarks reflect growing recognition within India's leadership of how misinformation can rapidly spread through social media and messaging platforms, potentially triggering communal tensions and public disturbances. The emphasis on smart policing suggests the need for coordinated efforts involving law enforcement, technology companies, and civil society to identify and counter malicious misinformation campaigns before they trigger real-world incidents.

The President's statement comes as India grapples with the challenge of distinguishing between legitimate public discourse and deliberate disinformation campaigns, particularly during sensitive periods and in volatile regions.