MTV takes on internet trolls with 'Troll Police'

Oxford dictionary defines troll as "A person who makes a deliberately offensive or provocative online post.”

Let’s have a look at some of the many trolls that have made headlines in 2017- "In our country, we have freedom of expression, so why don't you remove the remaining clothes also. Your brother must be feeling proud of you after watching this" Tapsee Pannu was targeted for wearing bikini. Fatima Sana Shaikh was trolled for her ‘shameless selfie’ saying “Allah say toh daro jahanoom he milega tume burkha pehnooo”. While some consider this as good humor, what we don’t realize is the repercussion it has on one’s mind. 

Trolling has become a global phenomenon and it’s about time that someone takes on the nasty internet trolls. For the first time, on Indian television through ‘Troll Police’, an adrenaline-pumping, reality show that addresses the issue of cyber bullying and makes trolls accountable for their online behavior. The show comprises of expert investigators and a cyber-team which will trace the trolls of some of the biggest celebrities of Bollywood and the faces behind it. Taking on internet trolls while educating the youth and creating awareness will be the youth icon, Rannvijay Singha. Trying to understand the reason of hiding behind a keyboard and the anonymity of an internet screen name, MTV’s latest edition will decode the psyche behind these trolls which will air will air every Saturday at 7 pm starting 13th January 2017 only on MTV.

Commenting on the launch of Troll Police, Ferzad Palia, Head, Youth, Music and English Entertainment, Viacom18 said, “At MTV, we aim to comprehend the needs and wants of the young and deal with issues pertaining to them. Though trolling is a broad term and it takes in everything from ill-mannered provocation to violent threats, one needs to understand that trolling can crush one’s self-esteem and confidence. We genuinely feel that trolling is a serious offence and it has become a concern, we should address. Through Troll Police, our objective is to create awareness and educate the youth that though we enjoy our rights to freedom of speech but using indecent language can have bitter consequences.”

Talking about the innovative concept of 'Troll Police', host of the show – Rannvijay Singha said, “With great power comes great responsibility and I really feel that while internet has given us the power to voice our opinion, there are a lot of people who do not use this boon wisely. Trolling is common nowadays and the major reasons for it are boredom, amusement and the need for attention. However, if trolls feel that they can hide his or her identity and use internet as a platform to send inflammatory and off- topic messages and get away with it, it is wrong and unjustified. It is a sign of cowardice! I hope 'Troll Police' enables a lot of people out there to voice their issues if they are being trolled, because trolling someone is a serious offence.”

Each episode of 'Troll Police' will feature a Bollywood celebrity who will track down their trolls with the help of host Rannvijay, an investigator and the cyber-team. There will be three levels to the show. First a social engineer, private investigator and the cyber-team will devise customized traps for the troll. This will be followed by an on-ground activation which will enable the team to figure the whereabouts of the troll. Lastly, would be confrontation where the celebrity and his/her troll will come face-to-face. The show will feature the bold and beautiful actresses of Bollywood, Neha Dhupia and Tapsee Pannu who are known to handle trolls like a boss, and British Indian rapper, Hard Kaur, to name a few.

As a part of the show and to create awareness, MTV has taken the issue of trolling a notch higher for common man by creating a platform wherein one can report trolls in a jiffy.  All one needs to do is report the troll by following @MTVIndia on Twitter, tweet #TrollPoliceHelpline, share your details via a form sent to you by MTV through direct message and deal with your trolls like a boss.

Get ready and support your favorite celebrities confront their trolls on 'Troll Police', starting 13th January every Saturday at 7 PM only on MTV!