Centre notifies PIB as official fact checker for online content

In a Gazette notification issued on Wednesday, "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 Fact Check Unit under PIB was established in November 2019 with the 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 about the Government of India.

The FCU is mandated to counter misinformation on government policies, initiatives and schemes either suo motu or under a reference via complaints.

The FCU actively monitors, detects, and counters disinformation campaigns, ensuring that false information about the Government is promptly exposed and corrected.

Citizens can reach out to the PIB Fact Check Unit through various modes, including through WhatsApp, email, Twitter and PIB’s website.

The Fact Check Unit’s WhatsApp Hotline Number is a handy tool for such people where one only has to forward a suspicious message.

The PIB Fact Check Unit has also taken measures to ensure the accessibility of the fact-checks to persons with disabilities.

Since images constitute a major part of social media, it is becoming increasingly imperative to provide ‘Alternative text’ (ALT) to ensure the universal reach of content.

The PIB Fact Check Unit provides alternative text alongside all its posts disseminated on its Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram handles.