The Centre on Wednesday notified the fact check unit under the Press Information Bureau (PIB) to monitor online content pertaining to the government for accuracy.
The fact check unit has been notified under IT Rules of 2021 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
"The central government hereby notifies the Fact Check Unit under the Press Information Bureau of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as the fact check unit of the Central Government for the purposes of the said sub-clause, in respect of any business of the Central Government," the notification said.
The Fact Check Unit will be the nodal agency to tackle or alert about all fake news or misinformation related to the central government.
-
-
Best Of NDTV World Summit 2026 | Defining Conversations, Big Ideas -
PM Modi Says 'Parasite' Congress Hurts 'Honest' Dissent Movements -
"Some Dreaming Of Disorder": PM Modi's Dig At Rahul Gandhi -
PM Modi Highlights India's Firsts: Fast Breeder Reactor, Hydrogen Train, Asian Games Medals -
"UN's Limits Clearly Visible": PM Modi Presses For 'New Solutions' At NDTV Summit -
"World That Relied On India's Brainpower Now Trusts Its Mindpower": PM Modi -
Non-Oil Trade With India Went Up 50% In 3 Years: UAE Minister At NDTV Summit -
"Some Dreaming Of Disorder": PM's "Failed Product Of Congress" Jibe At Rahul Gandhi -
'Viksit Bharat Not Just For Us': PM Modi's Top Quotes At NDTV World Summit -
Has Indian Cuisine Arrived At The Global Stage? What Vir Sanghvi Believes
The notification came days after the Bombay High Court declined to restrain the Centre from notifying the unit. The petition was filed by stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and the Editors Guild of India.
The petitioners have moved the Supreme Court against the Bombay High Court verdict and the matter is expected to come up for hearing on Thursday.
In April last year, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) issued the 2023 Rules, which further amended the Information Technology Rules, 2021.
Under the new rules, if the fact check unit comes across or is informed about any posts that are "fake", "false" or contain "misleading" facts pertaining to the business of the government, it would flag it to the social media intermediaries.
The online intermediaries would then have to take down such content if they wanted to retain their "safe harbour" (legal immunity against third-party content).
The fact check unit under PIB was established in November 2019 with a stated objective of acting as a deterrent to creators and disseminators of fake news and misinformation.
It also provides people with an easy avenue to report suspicious and questionable information pertaining to the Government of India.
The unit is mandated to counter misinformation on government policies, initiatives and schemes either suo motu or under a reference via complaints.
The unit actively monitors, detects, and counters disinformation campaigns, ensuring that false information about the government is promptly exposed and corrected.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
