**Executive Summary:**
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting addressed Lok Sabha regarding actions taken to combat disinformation related to Operation Sindoor, which included media briefings, inter-ministerial coordination, fact-checking, blocking malicious content, and issuing advisories to media outlets. These measures aimed to counter fake news and propaganda, primarily originating from outside India, ensuring accurate information dissemination and protecting national security. The advisory to media channels was issued on April 26, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Combating Disinformation on Operation Sindoor:** The Government took comprehensive measures to control the spread of fake and misleading information using available statutory and institutional mechanisms.
* **Providing Authentic Information:**
* Periodic media briefings were held to keep the media and citizens informed about the operations carried out by Defence forces, complete with relevant audiovisuals and satellite imagery.
* **Inter-Ministerial Coordination:**
* A centralized Control Room was established, functioning 24x7 for interdisciplinary and interdepartmental coordination.
* The Control Room facilitated real-time information dissemination to all media stakeholders and included representatives from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, government media units, and PIB.
* **Fact-Checking:**
* The PIB's Fact Check Unit (FCU) actively monitored social media and online news sources to detect and debunk fake images, edited videos, misleading narratives, and manipulated content targeting the operation, government agencies, or security forces.
* The FCU shared fact-checked links with concerned intermediaries for appropriate action and its efforts were appreciated by media.
* **Blocking:**
* Under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act 2000, the Government issued orders to block websites, social media handles, and posts propagating false and harmful information.
* Over 1,400 URLs on digital media were blocked, including those containing false, misleading, anti-India, communally sensitive, and inciteful content.
* **Advisory to Media:**
* On April 26, 2025, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory to all media channels to refrain from showing live coverage of defence operations and movement of security forces to protect national security.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Media Channels:**
* *Impact:* Required to be sensitive in their reportage of Operation Sindoor and to refrain from showing live coverage of defence operations and movement of security forces.
* *Action Required:* Adhere to the advisory issued on April 26, 2025, regarding coverage of defence operations.
* **Social Media Platforms/Intermediaries:**
* *Impact:* Required to take action on links related to disinformation or false news concerning Operation Sindoor as identified and shared by the FCU.
* *Action Required:* Promptly address and remove flagged content to prevent the spread of misinformation.
* **Citizens:**
* *Impact:* Provided with authentic information through media briefings and fact-checking initiatives to counter the effects of disinformation campaigns.
* *Action Required:* Stay informed through official sources and be cautious of unverified information circulating on social media and online platforms.
* **Government Agencies (Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, PIB, etc.):**
* *Impact:* Involved in inter-ministerial coordination and information dissemination to ensure a unified and accurate response to disinformation.
* *Action Required:* Continue to participate in the centralized Control Room and provide timely and accurate information for dissemination.
Key Entities Referenced
Operation Sindoor: A military operation that is the subject of disinformation campaigns, as mentioned in the policy text.
Pahalgam terror attack: A terror attack, mentioned along with Operation Sindoor as a subject of fake news.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The Indian government ministry responsible for issuing the advisory and combating disinformation.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Press Information Bureau (PIB): A government media unit that includes a Fact Check Unit (FCU) which actively monitors social media and online news sources.
Fact Check Unit (FCU): A unit under the PIB that monitors social media platforms and online news sources in real time to detect fake images, edited videos, misleading narratives, and any manipulated content.
Indian Armed Forces: The military forces of India, which are targeted by disinformation campaigns, specifically during Operation Sindoor.
Information Technology Act 2000: An act under which the government issued orders to block websites, social media handles and posts.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *150
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
COMBATING DISINFORMATION ON OPERATION SINDOOR
*150. SHRI TEJASVI SURYA:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) the details of steps taken by the Government to combat fake news, fake accounts
and disinformation regarding the Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam terror attack;
(b) the details of other measures taken by the Government to direct traditional media
platforms such as TV channels and newspapers to be sensitive in their reportage
of the Operation Sindoor;
(c) whether the Government has issued any directives or taken action against any
media platforms or individuals for their reportage or disinformation or spread of
false news on the Operation Sindoor and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government is taking any other measures to protect the country from
such disinformation campaigns in future and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF THE LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *150 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025 ON
COMBATING DISINFORMATION ON OPERATION SINDOOR
(a) to (d):
The Government takes all possible actions to control the spread of fake and misleading
information with the available statutory and institutional mechanisms. During Operation
Sindoor, it was observed that massive fake news, misinformation and propaganda campaigns
were being run, mostly from outside India. Government took active steps to counter such
misinformation campaigns:
Providing authentic information: Government of India held periodic media briefings and
kept the media and citizens informed. Details of operations carried out by Defence forces
were explained along with relevant audio-visuals and satellite imagery. These briefings
provided authentic information.
Inter-ministerial coordination: During Operation Sindoor, a centralized Control Room was
established for interdisciplinary and inter-departmental coordination. This Control Room
functioned 24x7 and facilitated real-time information dissemination to all media stakeholders.
This Control Room comprised nodal representatives from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air
Force, along with officers from various Government media units, and officials from the Press
Information Bureau (PIB). Social media handles and posts spreading fake news and
misinformation were actively identified.
Factcheck: Fact Check Unit under the PIB actively monitored social media platforms and
online news sources in real time to detect fake images, edited videos, misleading narratives,
and any manipulated content targeting the operation’s objectives, government agencies, or
security forces.
The Unit debunked Pakistani propaganda against India and Indian Armed Forces and fact-
checked many posts countering such content. Additionally, the links related to disinformation
or false news concerning Operation Sindoor, fact-checked by the FCU, were promptly shared
with concerned intermediaries for appropriate action.The efforts of the Fact Check Unit were appreciated by media. The links of some of the
articles are given below:
• India’s FCU battles Pakistan’s digital propaganda with swift rebuttals following
‘Operation Sindoor’
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/May/10/indias-fcu-battles-pakistans-
digital-propaganda-with-swift-rebuttals-following-operation-sindoor
• Govt fact-checking unit swings into action in the wake of Operation Sindoor to
highlight false claims
https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/india-pib-govt-fact-checking-unit-
operation-sindoor-misinformation-false-claims-11746770729519.html
• How India is fighting Pakistan’s disinformation campaign
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-india-is-fighting-pakistan-s-
disinformation-campaign-101746644575505.html
Blocking: It was observed that certain social media handles, many operating from outside
India were actively propagating false and potentially harmful information. Under the Section
69A of the Information Technology Act 2000, Government issued necessary orders to block
websites, social media handles and posts in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India,
defence of India, security of the State, and public order.
Ministry also issued directions for blocking of over 1,400 URLs on digital media during
Operation Sindoor. The content of these URLs included false, misleading, anti-India news
content, communally sensitive content primarily from Pakistan-based social media accounts
and inciteful content against Indian Armed Forces.
Advisory to media: On 26th April 2025, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an
advisory to all Media channels to refrain from showing live coverage of defence operations
and movement of security forces in the interest of national security.
*****