Social Media Has Become ‘Weapon Of Mass Distraction’: Bombay HC Judge

Justice Mahesh Sonak of the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court stated on Saturday that social media or mass media have become weapons of mass distraction, but there are no concerted efforts yet to tackle them.

While addressing the students of GR Kare College of Law in Margao town during a lecture series ‘GRK-Law Talks’, Justice Sonak stated that he prefers to remain “uninformed” about several issues by not reading or seeing the news, which he thinks is “better than being misinformed”.

He stated, “Today, we live in an age where we adore and glorify machines like computers and smartphones that think. But we are extremely suspicious or even wary of the human beings that attempt to think.”

Justice Sonak stated, “Artificial intelligence has its own merits, but it would be a sad day and sad world if we were to mortgage our ability to think, our ability to make intelligent and, moreover, sensitive choices, to a machine or an algorithm, however intelligent it may be.”

He added, “We should not want to atrophy our thinking faculties lest there is no difference between a human being and a machine. We cannot, or at least we should not, let humankind be robbed of its humanity.”

Justice Sonak stated that this capacity to think clearly, independently and fearlessly would enable a student to sift, discern, and, if necessary, reject the ideas and ideologies that are perpetually inflicted by mass media tools that are growing powerful each hour.

He opined, “A few decades ago, the world was at war against WMDs – weapons of mass destruction. Today, social media or the mass media have become weapons of mass distraction and yet there are no concerted efforts to battle them.”

The judge stated that in his own way, by way of experimentation, he has been on a “news diet” for almost 4 years.
He added, “By not reading or seeing the news, I realise that I am uninformed about several issues. But I guess this is better than being misinformed. So, the choice, often, is between uninformed and misinformed.”

President of Vidya Vikas Academy Nitin Kunkolienkar, Vice President Pritam Moraes and Principal of the college Doretti Simoes were present at the event.

Meera Verma

Recent Posts

Ex-Sarpanch Murder Case: SC Cancels Bail Of 3 Accused

The Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned the Rajasthan High Court's decision to grant bail to…

6 hours ago

“Complete Elevated Corridor At Kaziranga National Park At The Earliest”: SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday emphasized the urgent need to complete the proposed 34-kilometer elevated…

6 hours ago

Death Row Convict Balwant Singh Rajoana Granted 3-Hour Parole For Brother’s Bhog Ceremony

Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister…

6 hours ago

Money Laundering Case: Delhi HC Grants Bail To Lava MD Hari Om Rai

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Hari Om Rai, the Managing Director…

7 hours ago

Excise Policy Case: Kejriwal Challenges Trial Court’s Cognizance In ED

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approached the Delhi High Court, challenging a trial…

8 hours ago

Himachal HC Orders Closure Of 18 Loss-Making Tourism Corporation Hotels

In a significant ruling, the Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday ordered closure of 18…

8 hours ago