Political Dimensions Of Intersection Of Fake News And Digital Technology: With Special Reference To India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/ajpr.v28i2.276Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Digital Technology, Free and Fair elections, Fake News, Political DimensionsAbstract
Artificial Intelligence has been a driving force propelling the mass proliferation of fake news. And fake news is the new peril daunting Indian democracy. Even though, fake news has always been present but the advancement in Information and Communication Technology coupled with sophistication of Artificial Intelligence has overwhelmed the political sphere with deplorable fake news adversely jeopardising the electoral landscape of the nation. The quintessence of democracy lies in a fair and legit electoral process accompanied by maximum citizen participation. It further demands trust of citizenry over their democratic institutions. But with the vile of fake news this trust in democratic institutions such as Election Commission, Press, Legislature, Executive is shaking. The sanctified process of free and fair elections and pious values of democracy are becoming increasingly dubious acquiring tainted hues of political manipulation and lack of transparency. At the same time, this fake news is employed to wheedle voters’ opinion by fabricating lies that look alike true news and therefore, it undermines democracy by eroding trust in democratic institutions, desecrates free and fair elections, deepens the gap between government and governed and enables the divisive forces to alter the political landscape of the nation with just a click of the mouse. The authors aim to examine the nexus of digital technology and fake news. Further, they aim to map the terrain of political dimensions of fake news— how and to what extent it is used to garner political mileage, its impact over the principles of free and fair elections and whether it has the potency to undermine Indian democracy. Moreover, vice of fake news is not confined to one region but has become a widespread global phenomenon affecting democracies. The nation states have taken countermeasures accordingly to curtail its spread and mitigate its impact with some countries having demonstrated exceptional foresight while implementing measures that reflect both wisdom and resolve. The authors, thus, endeavour to study what steps have been taken by Brazil, France and Germany in countering political disinformation and securing their electoral landscape.
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