The story about Reliance and Facebook shows how rumors can really shake up the stock market. When there was talk about Facebook wanting to invest in Reliance Jio, Reliance Industries' stock price shot up even before anything official was announced. But then SEBI, the regulatory authority, said Reliance didn't handle the situation properly. They accused them of not being quick enough to confirm or deny the rumor, which goes against the rules about fair disclosure.
So, SEBI came up with a new rule. They said the top 250 companies on the stock market need to verify rumors quickly to keep things transparent and make investors feel more confident.
But not everyone was happy with this new rule. Some worried it could clash with agreements to keep information secret, make it hard to handle situations where things are still uncertain, or even scare off foreign investors. Others said it might force companies to reveal information they'd rather keep under wraps during negotiations.
Comparing this with how the U.S. handles rumors, you see they lean more towards being careful with what they disclose to avoid causing a stir. But in India, the focus is more on making sure rumors are dealt with quickly in the digital age to keep the market clear and fair.
Overall, SEBI's new rule is a step in the right direction for making sure the stock market is fair and transparent. But there are still debates about whether it might have some downsides, like scaring off investors or making things tough for companies trying to negotiate behind the scenes.