Countering spread of fake news
Kiran.Parashar@timesgroup.com
18.06.2020
Bengaluru: Within days of the lockdown kicking in, the residents’ welfare association of ISRO Housing Colony in RPC Layout, Vijayanagar, realised that the only way to address anxieties of people living in the colony was to counter the spread of misinformation.
“The situation was unprecedented and it was important residents received accurate information,” says Ravindra Devakate, a resident of the colony. “We knew we could not rely on WhatsApp forwards, so we depended on newspapers for information. There were clear instructions within the community that only government orders and information from credible sources should be shared. The administrator of our residents’ WhatsApp group was tasked with vetting content.”
The gated community, residential quarters of ISRO employees, houses 1,000 people. The ISRO Colony Residents’ Welfare Society responded to the announcement of a lockdown with alacrity. Everyone entering the colony was screened at the gate and all common areas like lifts and corridors were sanitised on a daily basis.
“We allowed distribution of newspapers, together with which we also handed out pamphlets from the government and BBMP on Covid-19 and precautions to be taken to keep the virus at bay,” Devakate said. “This ensured there was no undue panic.”
Tilak R, vicepresident of the society, who played a crucial role in handling the situation, said, “Our colony is located close to Padarayanapura, a containment zone. We strictly followed government guidelines. Residents were panicky after sharing messages received on WhatsApp and other social media, but we reminded them of a government circular which said sharing of unverified messages would attract legal action. So we were able to prevent theses forwards from becoming viral.”
Besides defeating misinformation, residents joined hands to help the elderly and people in quarantine. Raghunath CR, treasurer of the society, said, “From supply of milk to groceries, whatever they required was delivered at their doorstep.” He went on to say, “Realising that it was a collective effort, all residents adhered to social distancing norm and held discussions to sort out whatever issues that arose.”
Srinivas Rao, president of the RWA said, “Even today, we ensure social distancing is maintained in the community. No one is allowed inside the colony without prior notice. Masks, sanitisers and other materials have been issued to security guards and apartment residents as a precautionary measure.”
SPICK AND SPAN: Ensuring cleanliness was a priority for ISRO Housing Colony RWA
Ravindra Devakate
Raghunath
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