Synopsis
The government has blocked more than 1,400 web links for spreading fake news. This action was part of Operation Sindoor. The Fact Check Unit has published 2,913 verified reports. It identifies and corrects misinformation about the central government. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious content. The unit has flagged deepfakes and misleading videos.Replying to a written question, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan also said that a total of 2,913 fact-checks have been published so far by the Fact Check Unit (FCU) which functions under the Press Information Bureau.
The FCU identifies fake news, misinformation relating to the central government and after verifying the authenticity of news from authorised sources, the FCU publishes correct information on its social media platforms, he said.
Additionally, Murugan said, the government encourages citizens to report suspicious content for verification, thereby strengthening public participation in combating misinformation.
"The FCU has identified various fake claims related to the Government of India including deepfakes, AI-generated and misleading videos, notifications, letters and websites," he said.
All fact-checks are available across PIB Fact Check official social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, Threads and WhatsApp Channel.
Murugan said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued directions for blocking of over 1,400 such URLs on digital media during Operation Sindoor.
The Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 last year targeting nine terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
The minister said during Operation Sindoor, the PIB Fact Check Unit actively identified misinformation and hostile narratives circulating online and promptly acted on fact-checking false claims, providing authentic information, and ensuring accurate public communication, thereby helping prevent the spread of misleading and anti-India narratives.
