Goa Government to take action against social media influencers ‘defaming’ Goa

Addressing the House, Salkar said there is an increasing trend of defaming Goa through Instagram reels.

“We have seen [that] many non Goans come to Goa and spread misinformation about the state. Though we believe in freedom of expression, we cannot tolerate wrong notions about our land and faith. Recently, we have seen an Instagram user making objectionable comments about the Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim,” said Salkar.

Salkar added: “While we welcome tourists, they cannot get the right to defame Goa. The cyber cell should block these accounts on microblogging sites and file a complaint so that an example is set.”

Sawant told the House that he will ask the police cyber cell to conduct an inquiry.

Rohan Khaunte, the Information Technology Minister, on Wednesday told reporters that he has instructed the IT and Tourism departments to monitor social media accounts spreading falsehoods on Goa.

“We will ensure that action is taken. I do not know if they [influencers] are paid to make such reels, but we will not allow them to sully the image of Goa, [which is] a preferred destination,” said Khaunte, who also has the charge of tourism.

Khaunte said it would not be tolerated if a person makes unwarranted posts about the state.

“It is understandable if tourists have any bad experience…but they can’t use Goa for cheap tricks for monetary gains or otherwise to gain fame. Goa has become an easy destination for influencers to gain mileage on social media by spreading inaccurate information about the state…It is unacceptable. There has to be a deterrent. We are not curtailing freedom of speech. If they want to say something, it is fine, but saying anything just for the sake of expressing…it can’t be accepted,” added Khaunte.

An Instagram reel on the social networking service had drawn outrage in Goa for allegedly spreading false information about the tourist state and its culture.

The said Instagram user later tendered an apology. In a video, the user said, “I had gone to Goa sometime ago and while I was there, I made some comedy videos on beaches…Now I realise that in those videos, I made certain remarks, which were wrong. I should not have made those remarks. I apologise for that. I had no intention to hurt sentiments of people or to defame the state or to disrespect anyone.”