**Executive Summary**
The Press Information Bureau (PIB), under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, established a Fact Check Unit (FCU) in November 2019 to combat fake news and misinformation concerning the Government of India. The public is invited to share suspected fake news related to the Government via WhatsApp at +918799711259. This information was submitted to the Rajya Sabha on December 19, 2023.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose and Establishment:**
* FCU established in November 2019.
* Objective: to counter fake news and misinformation about the Government of India.
* **Complaint Mechanism:**
* Complaints/fact-check requests can be sent via WhatsApp (+918799711259), email (factcheck@pib.gov.in), or the PIB Fact Check Unit website (https://factcheck.pib.gov.in).
* **Verification Process:**
* The FCU verifies reported news/content, taking *suo moto* cognizance or responding to complaints.
* The Unit segregates information to determine whether it falls within its scope.
* Authenticity is verified from authorized sources.
* **Awareness Strategy:**
* The FCU uses Information, Education & Communication (IEC) strategies to create awareness via creative content suitable for social media platforms.
* Fact-checked and correct information is posted on the FCU's social media handles.
* **Role and Activities:**
* The FCU monitors online content related to the Government of India.
* The FCU actively countered misinformation during Operation Sindoor, fact-checking false claims and providing accurate information.
**Impact Analysis**
**Public**
* **Impact:** Benefits from verified information, preventing the spread of misleading or anti-India narratives.
* **Action Required:** Share suspected fake news related to the Government on 8799711259.
**Government of India**
* **Impact:** Protected from the negative effects of misinformation and fake news.
* **Action Required:** Continue supporting and utilizing the FCU to ensure authentic information is disseminated.
Key Entities Referenced
PIB Fact Check Unit (FCU): A unit set up under the Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to counter the dissemination of fake news and misinformation pertaining to the Government of India.
Press Information Bureau: The organization under which the Fact Check Unit is established.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The Ministry under which the Press Information Bureau and Fact Check Unit operate.
Operation Sindoor: An operation during which the PIB Fact Check Unit actively countered misinformation and hostile narratives online.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
PIB Fact Check Unit Invites Public to Share
Suspected Fake News related to Government on
8799711259
Unit Ensures Authentic Information Reaches Public Through
Digital Platforms
प्रव तथ: 19 DEC 2025 8:00PM by PIB Delhi
A Fact Check Unit (FCU) has been set up under Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting in November, 2019 with the objective to counter dissemination of fake news &
misinformation pertaining to the Government of India.
Any complaints/fact check requests regarding news/information items circulating on matters pertaining to
the Government of India can be sent to the WhatsApp Hotline- +918799711259, Email ID- factcheck@pib.g
ov.in and the website of PIB Fact Check Unit - https://factcheck.pib.gov.in.
The Fact Check Unit of PIB verifies the reported news/ content, as under:
PIB Fact Check Unit takes suo-moto cognizance on fact checking as well as receives complaints on its
website or WhatsApp Hotline.
The Unit segregates the received information after ascertaining whether it falls within the ambit of the
Fact Check Unit.
After verifying the authenticity of the received information from authorized sources, the Fact Check
Unit utilizes the Information, Education & Communication (IEC) strategy to create awareness through
creative content fit for dissemination on social media platforms.
FCU posts the fact checked and correct information on its social media handles.
The PIB Fact Check Unit (FCU) plays a key role in monitoring online content relating to the Government
of India. During Operation Sindoor, the PIB Fact Check Unit actively countered misinformation and
hostile narratives circulating online by promptly fact-checking false claims, providing authentic
information, and ensuring accurate public communication, thereby helping prevent the spread of
misleading and anti-India narratives.
Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, submitted
the information in the Rajya Sabha today in response to a question raised by Shri Sujeet Kumar.
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Mahesh Kumar/ Vivek Vishwash(रलीज़ आईडी: 2206735) आगंतुक पटल : 686
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