As rivers calm down, people express concern over mushrooming ‘live updates’ on Facebook, social media, call it ‘rumor-mongering, nuisance’
Srinagar: With life in Kashmir gradually returning to normal after the recent flood scare, people have voiced strong concern over the mushrooming presence of vloggers and self-styled reporters who flooded social media platforms with “live updates” on the recent flood-like situation in Kashmir.
“Social media has turned into a fish market. Every other person is going ‘live’ on Facebook, saying “hum abhi apko information dee rei h subha se, nazreen share kro,” Umer, a student from Srinagar, said.
He said, people are scared because instead of clarity, we are bombarded with half-truths and rumours. “Everyone here is a journalist. A mike and a mobile make you a journalist in Kashmir; it is everywhere here,” he said.
“When we open our phones, all we see are new faces with a mic and cameraman. They talk as if they are running TV channels. It creates unnecessary panic,” said Shazia.
Meanwhile, people urged the administration to regulate these practices. “Authorities should have a look at social media and see who is doing what. People need information, not chaos and a fish market in the name of social media journalism,” said another resident.
Moreover, pointing out the nonsense of the trend, one resident in a lighter vein said, “If Kashmir’s population is overestimated by one crore, then 99 lakh people here are just saying nazreen, share karo every day.”
On September 3, when Jhelum had swelled, officials urged the journalist fraternity and Facebook page administrators not to spread panic by posting hourly gauge readings or live minute-to-minute updates. (KNO)
