COUNTRIES with democratic fabric are constitutionally bound to preserve and protect the right to information and expression. Apparently, people tend to exercise this right by either sharing their own content, or by sharing the content generated by others.

Keeping in mind the current generation`s preoccupation with social media, I often question myself over what we have achieved from the various platforms. Have we been able to stand up against exploitation, injustice and malpractices that exist in society? Have we been able to raise our voice against those who deviated from electoral promises? More importantly, have we been able to glean correct information from a massive heap of misinformation, disinformation and fake news? Let us concede that the answer to all such questions is in the negative. The issue of misinformation has penetrated deeply in society. People present an incident according to their own understating of it.

Unfortunately, no institution is spared from this menace. The most worrisome of the facts is that the government failed to address this growing challenge with an iron hand.

Last year, when the first Covid case was reported in the country, it was termed a sheer lie and conspiracy against the Muslims. Many perceived the epidemic asa figment of imagination and some as self-engineered drama. Such deliberate arrogance and denial of an epidemic, which was subsequently declared a pandemic, led to swift human transmission of the deadly virus. On the other hand, many self-proclaimed homeopathic practitioners appeared on the scene who believed and claimed to have developed some medicine that helps fight against this novel virus.

Surprisingly, when research pertaining to virus was at a rudimental stage even in the developed world, people from many areasinPakistanhadshared their treatment against the virus with formidable assurances. This is despite the fact that we lack a research and development (R&D) culture akin to the Westerners, and cannot match the standard required for the development of any medicine.

One of the cures that were suggested involved eating raw onions every day. Then there appeared a technique of selfdiagnosing Covid by holding breath for a few seconds. All the suggestions kept circulating at an ever-increasing pace.

Resultantly, people did not follow the proper course.

When businesses had to be shut down, people saw their dear ones in excruciating pain, and learned about the shortage of oxygen cylinders, they finally acknowledged that something monstrous had engulfed society. The standard operating procedures (SOPs) were followed to some extent and we were able to contain the worsening situation.

Alas! When things were going in the right direction, yet another series of fictitious news unfolded regarding the Covid vaccine. It was widely circulated that vaccination is a treacherous act of the West which is designed to decrease the Muslim population. Then there were rumours to the effect that people who get vaccinated would die within two years. This seemingly nonsensical `news` seems to have made a lasting impact on the layman`s mind, and a large portion of people has refused to visit the vaccination centres thereafter.

The authorities failed to dispel the bogus impression regarding the vaccines and nothing has been done to counter fake news prevalent in society. It is time the government employed its machinery and spared no one who circulated fake news with ulterior motives.

These culprits should be taken to task.

Zubair Ali Karachi