Mar 05 2024 to Mar 05 2024 6:30 p.m.

EVENT HAS ENDED

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Misinformation and fake news pose significant challenges in the electoral context in India, influencing public opinion, political discourse, and ultimately, democratic processes. With the widespread use of social media and messaging platforms, false narratives can spread rapidly, often targeting specific communities or political factions. This phenomenon not only undermines the credibility of information but also exacerbates societal divisions and hampers informed decision-making among voters. In India, where diverse perspectives and identities intersect, the proliferation of misinformation can further polarise communities and distort electoral outcomes. Love Jihad and Other Fictions is a book that debunks the viral falsehoods tearing India apart. Co-authored by three award-winning journalists – Sreenivasan Jain, Supriya Sharma and Mariyam Alavi – the book interrogates inflammatory conspiracy theories centred around the assertion that India’s minorities are plotting to weaken Hindus. Once confined to the fringe, these claims are today amplified by politicians, the mainstream media, and countless social media posts, a trend likely to accelerate as the Lok Sabha election approaches. A book like this, which debunks these divisive theories through hard nosed journalistic scrutiny, has never felt more timely. The authors of the book, Sreenivasan Jain and Supriya Sharma will be in conversation with Journalist, Dhanya Rajendran. A Q&A with the audience will follow. Speakers Sreenivasan Jain Author & Journalist Sreenivasan Jain is a New Delhi-based journalist and broadcaster. In a career spanning three decades, he has reported on wars, elections, insurgencies, majoritarianism, and corruption scandals for the television network NDTV where he worked till early 2023. His investigative work and ground reportage have been recognised by the Ramnath Goenka Awards, Red Ink Awards, and New York Festivals, among others. Supriya Sharma Author & Journalist Supriya Sharma has spent two decades covering conflict, politics, and development. Her reports have fetched several honours, including the Ramnath Goenka Awards and Chameli Devi Jain Award for Outstanding Woman Journalist, among others. She is currently the Executive Editor of Scroll. She lives in Delhi. Vasu HV Editor, Eedina Dr. Vasu is the editor of Eedina, a digital media portal in Kannada that offers comprehensive political news and insightful analysis. He is presently a part of Jagrutha Karnataka – a progressive regional political movement in the making and for the past two decades, has been a full time activist working on organising and ensuring the rights of unorganized workers and slum communities. He was formerly the editor of Gauri Lankesh Nyayapatha. Dr. Vasu also practices as a medical doctor working on lifestyle changes to help diabetics. Dhanya Rajendran Co-founder & Editor-in-Chief, The News Minute Dhanya Rajendran is co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of The News Minute, a digital publication that covers south India. In a journalism career spanning 20 years, Dhanya has a body of work focussing on politics, human rights, gender-based violence, and disaster coverage. She was the recipient of the Chameli Devi Jain award for best woman journalist of India in 2022 and named one of the best entrepreneurs in the country in Fortune’s 40 under 40 list. Dhanya is the founding chairperson of Digipub, India’s largest association of digital news outlets that has around 120 members including sites like The Wire, Scroll, Quint and Newslaundry. Dhanya runs a feminist and diverse newsroom based out of Bengaluru with offices across south India. Before founding The News Minute, Dhanya worked as the South India head for the English news channel Times Now.