Mamata Banerjee on Friday lambasted circulation of fake news through social media targeting medical professionals at the forefront of fight against Covid-19 and ordered dedicated police teams to crack down on such activities.
The chief minister said she found it “unpardonable” that there were people who mocked doctors on social media.
“Fake news, it is getting ridiculous. I got one today, the health secretary (Vivek Kumar) sent it to me. In the name of a daktarbabu (a physician), who has been working to fight the pandemic, they have taken his name and accused him of being ill, just see… a very incendiary Facebook post. I don’t know who did it, I told police to get it probed by the detective department,” Mamata told journalists after she presided over a meeting to take stock of the lockdown and the fight against the pandemic.
On Friday night, sources in Calcutta Police said Chandrima Bhowmik, 29, had been arrested by cyber police in connection with the alleged posting of the fake Facebook post on the physician.
“Those doing work daily now, you (journalists) too… how do we know it won’t happen to me tomorrow? Does (Calcutta Police commissioner) Anuj (Sharma) know it won’t happen to him tomorrow? Does (state chief secretary) Rajiva (Sinha) know? Do any of you, working through this, know it won’t happen to you? While working, even if somebody does get it, the treatment has to be done. Without panic, without fear,” said Mamata.
The chief minister’s concern was in line with that of the World Health Organisation.
The WHO had earlier urged tech companies to initiate tougher action to battle fake news on Covid-19.
Labelling the spread of fake news on the outbreak an “infodemic”, WHO said false information — “not based on science” — on the outbreak had been “spreading faster than the virus”.
The chief minister has been trying to get the administration to ensure smooth delivery of newspapers after some vendors’ unions in Calcutta and elsewhere in Bengal refused to pick up dailies for distribution till March 31. The vendor unions purportedly took the decision on the basis of fake news and misinformation regarding the spread of Covid-19.
“Those still participating in thatta, yarki, mawshkora (jokes, mockery, buffoonery) and other inflammatory activities, to them, I plead with folded hands, do not play with fire,” said Mamata.
“Remember, your homes, too, have brothers and sisters. Those who are still out there, working and risking their lives thereby… this is not the time to participate in mockery at their cost. This is the time to help each other out,” she added.
However, in addition to the appeal, the chief minister reminded people of the likely consequences.
“I warn you, we will get to the bottom of the fake news, these things at this time. A detective department team has been dedicated solely to this. A special task force team, too. A CID team also. We are not going to let these pass, I am telling you. Such unpardonable mockery when people are busy saving people’s lives,” said Mamata.
