With Mushrooming Fake Web Channels and Sites, Berhampur Police Prepares to Crackdown in Operators with Criminal Antecedents

Berhampur: With the number of incidents involving fake web channels and websites increasing and gullible people getting affected by false and misleading news, the Berhampur Police has taken an initiative to cleanse the system and take stringent action. As part of its efforts, the Berhampur Police has decided to keep a tab on the mushrooming fake news websites and web channels by preparing a database of the operators and checking whether people with criminal antecedents are connected to them.

Berhampur Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra has said that “Based on allegations made by people on false and malicious news with an ill intention such as defaming or extortion, a number cases have been registered in various districts and many persons have also been arrested. We have also got some confidential lead with our enquiries and some people here have also approached us with their grievances. Some even fear to inform the police about the harassments and extortions by the fake web channels and websites.”

He said, “In the name of news and journalism, incidents such as harassment, blackmailing and extorting people are increasing and for this we are trying to ascertain who the operators of the web channels are, who are their representatives, and if there are any criminal antecedents of the representatives.”

For this, all the IICs of all Police stations in Berhampur have been asked to collect detailed information of the web channels and sites that are operating under their jurisdictions, which will be compiled. They will collect information on who the operators are, who are their representatives, their identity, and if there are any criminal antecedents. The collected information and data will be analyzed and then a decision will be taken on further course of action. If any criminal antecedence is found, the police will take action.

SP Pinak Mishra also said that, people are requested to inform the police regarding any harassment, fake news or extortion attempt without any fear so that stringent action against them is taken.

In the name of dissemination of news and information, some people are also copying and reposting the copyright content from established sites and channels which is a criminal offence. Intentional slanting of views and news and editing videos to defame an intended target has become a trend for the fake news websites and channels.

It is also noticed that some of admireded websites were also subjected to copyright infringement by some scrupulous elements who copied the content from the sites and tried create a fake news sites identical to them.

Newsroomodisha.com requests its readers and patrons to be cautious while browsing news and always go for the genuine portals. They are also requested to inform the police regarding the same.
Newsroomodisha.com welcomes this important step of SP, Berhampur.