Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check Unit (FCU) has carried out over 2,900 fact-checks so far as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to counter misinformation and fake news related to official communication.

According to a PIB press release, the FCU, which functions under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has published a total of 2,913 fact-checks, addressing a wide range of misleading claims linked to the Government of India. These include deepfakes, AI-generated content, morphed videos, fake notifications, fabricated letters and fraudulent websites.

The unit verifies suspicious content using authorised sources and disseminates accurate information through its official social media channels, including X, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, Threads and WhatsApp. It has also been encouraging citizens to actively report dubious content, positioning public participation as a key element in tackling misinformation.

A significant portion of the FCU’s recent activity was seen during ‘Operation Sindoor’, where it worked to identify and counter false narratives circulating online. The unit responded swiftly to misleading and hostile content, ensuring that verified information reached the public in time. During the operation, the Ministry also issued directions to block more than 1,400 URLs carrying such content across digital platforms.

The government has also put in place a regulatory framework for digital publishers through the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. These rules prescribe a Code of Ethics and establish a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism for publishers of news and online curated content.

The information was shared in the Lok Sabha by Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, in response to an unstarred question raised by V K Sreekandan, highlighting the government’s continued focus on ensuring credible and accurate information flow in the digital space.