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Lokniti-CSDS Media Survey: Fake News and Trust in India

21 May 20251 min read
REPORTS & INDEXESLokniti-CSDSMedia Survey:Fake News andTrust in India21 May 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

During the India-Pakistan standoff, social media carried unverified strike videos, doctored images and false casualty reports. A Lokniti-CSDS survey looked at how users cope with such content.

Key facts

  • Most who met misinformation saw it once, twice or a few times.
  • 88% of social media users who unknowingly shared fake news were highly or moderately concerned; concern also appeared among non-sharers (44%) and those never misled (39%).
  • On X: 21% had very little trust and 12% none.
GroupHighly concernedSomewhat concerned
Internet users21%31%
Social media users20%32%

Reuters Digital News Report 2024

  • Over 70% of Indians prefer online news; YouTube leads at 54%.

Way forward

  • Media literacy, fact-checking tools and platform accountability.

Exam angle

  • 2025 World Press Freedom Index rank for India: 151 of 180.

Test yourself

1. What is India's rank in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, as cited in the survey notes?

The notes cite 151 out of 180 countries.

2. Roughly what share of active Internet users admitted unknowingly forwarding fake news in the Lokniti-CSDS survey?

Around 40% said they shared fake news and later realised it was wrong.

3. According to the Reuters Digital News Report 2024 notes, which platform was cited at 54%?

YouTube is listed at 54% among major platforms.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 21 May 2025 (20 topics).

All topics of the dayDay quizMay 2025

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