Confused society harms itself: Yogi Adityanath asks teachers to fight misinformation
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday asked teachers and educational institutions to take a proactive role in tackling misinformation and steering students towards
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday asked teachers and educational institutions to take a proactive role in tackling misinformation and steering students towards credible sources. He said the misuse of social media was being used to spread hatred and instability, and warned that young people needed help to identify what was genuine and what was false. Speaking at a function in Agra after launching the Mukhyamantri Shikshak Cashless Chikitsa Yojana for teachers and staff of higher educational institutions, Adityanath said India’s adversaries were using technology and financial backing to spread falsehoods and divide society. He said institutions must prepare students to deal with such attempts and think critically. Read Full Story The Chief Minister said forces opposed to India’s progress were using digital platforms to create confusion and social discord.
“A confused society ultimately harms itself. Our educational institutions will have to stand against every conspiracy that seeks to create instability in India,” he said. Adityanath said the growing dependence of young people on smartphones and social media for news had made it easier for misinformation to spread unchecked. “Today, around 80 per cent of the youth rely on smartphones for information about the country and the world. Everything available on Google or social media doesn’t need to be authentic.” He contrasted this with traditional journalism and said newspapers had played a major role during the freedom movement because of editorial accountability. “Print media played a major role in raising public awareness during the freedom struggle.
There was accountability – the reporter and editor were known. But on social media, anyone can create an anonymous account and spread hatred,” he said. He said teachers should encourage students to verify information, build reading habits and spend more time in libraries instead of relying only on social media platforms. “Teachers should upload good content, motivate students and make them aware of what is true and what is false. Students should develop the habit of reading reference books in addition to their textbooks and spend minimum time on misleading social media platforms.” He added that artificial intelligence and social media were essential tools but had to be used responsibly. “Social media platforms and artificial intelligence are today’s necessities.
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