In a major initiative aimed at reinforcing trust in the media landscape, India’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), in collaboration with the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), has announced a TruthTell Hackathon challenge.

According to the MIB, this initiative forms part of Season 1 of the Create in India Challenge (CIC) at the inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025.

Media reports have said that WAVES is now to be held in Mumbai — earlier it was scheduled for a New Delhi showcasing from Feb. 5-9 —  sometime late April-early May.

Designed to harness the power of artificial intelligence, the hackathon seeks to develop innovative solutions that can detect and verify information in real time during live broadcasts.

In today’s fast-paced media environment, where misinformation can spread rapidly and impact public discourse, the ability to identify false information instantly is crucial for broadcasters, journalists, and viewers alike, the government statement said.

The TruthTell Hackathon addresses this urgent challenge by calling upon developers, data scientists, and media professionals to create AI-driven tools that offer real-time misinformation detection and fact verification, the government statement yesterday added.

With a substantial prize pool of Rs.10 lakh, winning teams will not only receive cash rewards but also gain access to valuable mentorship opportunities and incubation support from leading technology experts, setting the stage for future breakthroughs in media technology.

The initiative has generated significant global interest, attracting over 5,600 registrations from participants around the world, with an impressive 36 percent participation rate from women.

Participants are tasked with developing tools that will enhance the reliability of live broadcasts by effectively distinguishing between accurate reporting and misleading content. The ultimate goal is to bolster trust among viewers by ensuring that only verified, fact-based information is disseminated during live events. The challenge is not only about technological innovation but also about fostering a culture of accountability and integrity in journalism.

The hackathon is structured in several phases, with the prototype submission deadline set for February 21, 2025. Final presentations will take place at the end of March 2025, culminating in a winners’ showcase during the WAVES Summit 2025.