The Kasargod district administration is launching an internet radio to take on the fake news bug on social networking websites.
The radio will be launched by revenue minister E Chandrasekharan on December 23.
"It will also broadcast news people can use and announcements of the government," said Kasargod District Collector Jeevan Babu K, speaking to The New Indian Express.
‘Thejaswini Radio’ will be an internet radio service and students of the Malayalam department of Central University of Kerala have been tasked with coming up with the bulletins to clear up confusion and avoid the spread of rumours.
The district administration is also launching a website where people can log on and verify news. "People can now log on to thejaswiniradio.com and check the veracity of such news," added Jeevan Babu K.
Official announcements including bulletins from the health, tourism and police departments will be aired in addition to district news roundup, events of the district administration and affiliated youth clubs. "The news bulletins would be broadcast twice in a day, at 7.30 am and 11.30 am. The audio bulletins would play in a loop, and is downloadable in a sharable format," Babu was quoted as saying.
While the programmes will be launched in Malayalam language, Kannada bulletins will also be introduced. The bulletins will be played at Akshaya centres, village and panchayat offices, bus stands, libraries, schools, mini civil stations and the collectorate among other places.
It has been developed by Kochi-based Xtrios Innovations Pvt Ltd and a smartphone application will also be launched soon. The theme music of the radio has been created by Hariprasad, senior clerk of Irrigation Division Office in Kasargod and a logo has also been designed by designer Mohammed Nafid.
Fake news is deliberate misinformation spread through traditional print, broadcast or social media.