Social media influencers tarnishing image of Goa to face music, says IT minister

PANAJI: Goa Information Technology minister Rohan Khaunte on Wednesday said that his department is monitoring media influencers who have been defaming Goa with their "cheap tricks."
“I have told the IT department to start sources material available online that spreads false hood about Goa as also tourism department has been intimated,” Khaunte told reporters, who is also the tourism minister, after the alleged objectionable comments by one social influencer were brought to his notice.
“I 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 Goa has become an easy destination for influencers who want to get mileage by spreading inaccurate information about the tourist state.
However, the maligning of the image of Goa by them will not be tolerated, Khaunte said, especially when they have 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 said it will not be tolerated that a person (influencer) who was not affected in any way or had an unpleasant experience during his vacation in Goa, makes unwarranted posts about the state, and hurts its image.
One of the social influencers has tendered a public apology, but Khaunte said there was nothing to apologise.
“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.