New Delhi: In an era characterised by the quick flow of information, the possibility of fake news has become an increasingly prevalent threat, casting a gloomy shadow over the integrity of the news profession. Misinformation has permeated major media outlets, planting seeds of doubt and confusion among an unwary populace. Recent research has shown worrisome numbers that highlight the magnitude of this situation.
Whether through WhatsApp forwards or tweets, the circulation has only increased since the year 2017. In 2017, the earliest year for which data is available, India recorded only 257 cases. A total of 1,527 cases of fake news were registered in 2020 (the pandemic year), representing a 214% rise from 486 cases in 2019 and 280 cases in 2018.
Delving deeper into this topic, Gaurav Sood, a marketing professor and well-known columnist, writes about identifying fake news and its far-reaching implications in his new book.
Published by Penguin India, ‘Fake News: Spot It, Stop It’ by Gaurav Sood will be released on 11 December on Softcover, ThePrint’s online venue to launch non-fiction books.
In the book, Sood explains how fake news is created and its impact on people, products, and personalities. He shows how it is used to tarnish a brand’s image and the psychology behind it.
Fake news has far-reaching effects on society as a whole, rather than just individual perspectives. Misinformation spreads virally, eroding public confidence while also having the power to affect public opinion, influencing key decisions ranging from elections to public health initiatives.
The book aims to make customers more aware of fake news and encourages them to fact-check. It also analyses the role of the media in debunking fake news and presenting fact-checked information in front of people.
Talking about the book being the need of the hour, Professor Jagdish N. Sheth, Goizueta Business School, Emory University, Atlanta, US, said, ‘The publication of Fake News is very timely and highly relevant, especially as political elections are won or lost today through social media. It is a must-read for every brand manager.’
Journalists like Rajdeep Sardesai and Rana Yashwant praise the book, applauding its research and the efforts put into it.
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