Film and Television Institute of India to guide police in making videos against social media menace

Pune: Devising an innovative way to beat the rising menace of social media and cyber crime in spreading communal tensions, city police have decided to circulate positive messages by videos and posters of their own as well as screen them in theatres across the city.

Coming up with a twin pronged strategy, on one hand they have approached officials at Film an Television Institute of India (FTII) to prepare a short video film on communal harmony, which they hope to circulate through YouTube and screen in various housing societies and youth groups. On the other hand to create awareness in city about offences related to cyber crime, the city police’s cyber cell have prepared sketches and posters making people aware of such crimes and what action could be taken for sharing, uploading or even liking offensive posts. Such posters and videos would be screened in theatres and two officers are being trained for creating awareness in student studying in school and college on cyber safety
Additional Commissioner of police (Administration) Abdur Rehman said, “After the tension in the city last week, especially after misuse of social media and photos and videos that were circulated, our police interacted with community leaders and important personalities to maintain peace in the city. When the youths were arrested and detained by police, we found that youth had got messages through social media and mass messaging applications that many of them had not verified the facts that were circulated to them. To over come this issue we plan to create awareness amongst citizens, especially youths. To begin with, we will be kicking off a campaign on communal harmony and cyber safety awareness. For this purpose, we will be preparing posters and have also approached FTII to help us in preparing some video message.”
Confirming that the police have approached them regarding this, FTII director D J Narain told dna, “Yes we have been approached but we will get a clear picture only next week, at a meeting that has been organised. In the past too, we had helped police by preparing a documentary film on anti-terrorism message. We would be happy to help once we know what is exactly expected of us.”
Meanwhile, Rehman said that they want college students to get involved in their awareness drive and officers are engaged in making tie-ups.
Deputy Commissioner of police (Cyber) Rajendra Bansode said, “In order to create awareness amongst citizens we have prepared some 10 to 15 posters and sketches which will be printed in four languages in Hindi, Marathi, English and Urdu. These posters would be screened at theatres across the city and even put up by local Ganesh mandals. Many citizens have approached is that they wish to print flex hoardings and put up in their locality. Basically the messages are of cyber awareness and ill effects of irresponsible use of social media.”