Two held for spreading rumours

After taking two persons into custody for allegedly spreading rumours on child-kidnapping gangs on social media resulting in the murder of a transperson, the South Zone police would now initiate action against dubious social media reporters.

Speaking to The Hindu , Deputy Commissioner of Police V. Satyanarayana said there were between 120 and 150 such social media reporters in the South Zone alone. Most of these reporters run Facebook pages or YouTube channels, while some are active on WhatsApp groups.

“Not even 25% of these people are accredited by the Information and Public Relations Department or the Hyderabad District Collectorate’s district public relations office. We have come to know that some are even extorting money from gullible people,” Mr. Satyanarayana said.

He said in the beginning, the police wanted to work with the media which was why a lenient view was adopted. But with social media reporters themselves spreading rumours, the police had no other choice but to crack down on them. “When we spoke to those who have been arrested in connection with the attack, they said they believed the posts on social media from such dubious reporters. While two have been arrested, we have come to know that there are other reporters who have spread these sensational rumours,” Mr. Satyanarayana said.

Apart from one Syed Saleem and Mohammed Subhan who have been arrested, the South Zone police have identified at least 10 such unaccredited reporters who are involved in rumour-mongering.

“We are now exploring what kind of action should be taken against these 10 people,” he said.

Telangana Urdu Working Journalists’ Union president Ather Moin said the police should exercise caution and not paint all social media reporters with the same brush. “Some cops themselves have used dubious social media journalists for their gain. Action should be taken against reporters who are blackmailing innocent people. But there are some honest social media journalists as well. They should not bear the brunt of police’s action,” he said.