To Fight Fake News Against Government, PIB Establishes Fact Checking Unit

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has established a fact checking unit in order to tackle the fake news on social media targeting the government and the work being done by it. The fact check unit will have officials from the PIB as well as employees hired on contract to monitor platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Youtube to flag news that is fake and has the potential for creating social unrest.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) took to Twitter and reported the same.

Received a forward that looks too good to be true!!!

or maybe came across a piece of news that you want verified !!

Send it across and we will Fact Check it for you, no questions asked 👍#PIBFactCheck pic.twitter.com/9KxGDRg08I

— PIB India (@PIB_India) November 28, 2019

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu earlier expressed concern over the “menace” of fake news and urged bodies such as Press Council of India and News Broadcasters Association to come up with a mechanism to check the phenomenon.

He also stressed on the need to maintain objectivity and accuracy in dissemination of information to readers and viewers.

Speaking at the silver jubilee celebrations of the Indian Women Press Corps (IWPC) here, Naidu described fake and doctored news as a “menace”, which, he said, often leads to chaos, confusion and panic.

He said the media has the onerous responsibility to not only provide accurate information but also educate the people on their rights and responsibilities, according to a statement issued by the Vice President’s office.

“The Vice President urged the media not to colour news with views and stressed on the need to maintain objectivity, fairness, and accuracy in disseminating information to the reader and the viewer without assuming the role of the gatekeepers,” the statement said.