“If it’s on the internet, it must be true, right?”
WRONG! The internet is a vile pit of false claims, fake advertisements and untrustworthy news (yes, the irony is not lost on me). Although, some of the content on the web is verified and comes and well-sourced. Since the advent of social media, however, people have stopped viewing online content critically and instead choose to consume it as gospel truth.
Just recently, a blog that goes by the name of ‘Outlook Pakistan‘ ran a news article claiming that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan had attempted suicide.
When something so unfathomable seemed so convincing, some news outlets just couldn’t resist running the story (without any sort of verification).
1. Cool cover, bro.
#WeAreNeo
Former Miss World ‘Aishwarya Rai’ attempts suicide, read more: https://t.co/g2t6FYdxxB pic.twitter.com/ZGscdmCc8R— Neo News Urdu (@NeoNewsUR) December 2, 2016
2. Half and half! Bonus points for effort.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Commits Suicide? .. https://t.co/tXKkSBE5k3 pic.twitter.com/8STFJRwIx8
— Indian Site (@indiansite) December 5, 2016
3. Where’d they even get these images?!
Aishwarya rai attempt to suicide ended up in hospital #DK pic.twitter.com/agZBEPTNJx
— Abhijith Krissh (@abhijith_krissh) December 4, 2016
They even had a fictitious statement from Aishwarya Rai’s physician!
“Let Me Die, It Is Better To Die Than Living Such Pathetic Life.”
Have to hand it to them for “attention to detail.” 😛
Soon enough, word got out that the entire story was an elaborate rumour and none of it was even close to the truth.
Just spoke to Mrs Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's official Publicist.She says the suicide rumours r crap.Ppl ought to b responsible.Not done!!
— Faridoon Shahryar (@iFaridoon) December 5, 2016
It’s interesting to see how gullible some people are when it comes to content being shared online. I could wake up one fine day and decide that vodka mixed with fresh aloe vera plant extract and green tea is an organic substitute for viagra. I’m pretty sure I’d get at least a few dozen retweets for it!