Will fake news kill Social Fiber of India if unchecked?

Fake news in India is a rising problem. The practice of using social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to disseminate false information is ushering in a dangerous trend. Proliferation of user based platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp etc. and availability of inexpensive internet and Social sites have led to the unprecedented rise in the instances of Fake News among the masses.  A few decades back, when internet usage for news propagation was minimum, the onus of the authenticity of news lied on the media fraternity. Information creation and its distribution was much more expensive and regulated. However, social media sites provided the users with an unregulated platform where, anyone one can create and disseminate information. Barriers to check the authenticity and veracity of the news propagated through social media platforms hardly exist. The fake news are boosted to boost web traffic in order to attract revenue from the advertisements.To polarize people to a particular viewpoint or ideology.To divert people’s attention from some critical issue to a less important issue To incite people based on their religious and emotional sentiments for some vested interest.To defame a particular individual, community or government.When will the safety measures be taken to check the fake news??