PANAJI: Information technology minister Rohan Khaunte said on Wednesday that his department is monitoring social media influencers who have been defaming the tourist state with their "cheap tricks".
"I have told the IT department to start to source material available online that spreads falsehoods about Goa, and the tourism department has also been intimated," Khaunte, who is also tourism minister, told reporters after the alleged objectionable comments by one social media influencer were brought to his notice.
Need deterrent for people’s cheap tricks, says KhaunteI do not know if they (social influencers) are paid to make such (false) reels, but we will not allow them to sully the image of Goa, a preferred destination,” he said.
Khaunte said that Goa has become an easy destination for influencers who want to “get mileage” by “spreading inaccurate information” about the tourist state. However, Khaunte said that their maligning of Goa’s image will not be tolerated, especially when the government has been trying hard to further improve the image of Goa.
“I have spoken to the chief minister. He has directed the cyber cell to act. Such things are unacceptable,” Khaunte said.
The tourism minister also said that it will not be tolerated if a person (influencer) who was not affected in any way or has had any unpleasant experience in Goa, makes unwarranted posts about the state and hurts its image.
One social media influencer has tendered a public apology, but Khaunte said there was nothing to apologise for.
“A deterrent is needed for people who, through cheap tricks, want to gain fame or otherwise. We are not curtailing their freedom of speech, if they want to say something about their stay, it is fine, but saying anything for the sake of expression can’t be accepted,” said Khaunte.
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