Counter fake news immediately, top government officials told Times of India

NEW DELHI: Concerned about distorted, false and negative stories quickly gaining traction on social media, the government has directed all secretaries to immediately ‘react’ to such news in an articulated and factual manner.
In a communication to the secretaries, the Cabinet Secretariat said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will prepare an SOP to respond to ‘fake news/disinformation/motivated criticism/misleading, distorted and inaccurate facts/opinionated news/miscommunication in print, electronic and social media ‘ “. For some news items that do not require a response, the ministry will issue a guideline.
Recently, Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan chaired a meeting of all secretaries on an effective ‘communication plan’, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s charge to ministers and secretaries to ‘inform’ people about the government’s decisions and good works in the most effective manner.
TOI has learned that Union Secretary, Information and Broadcasting Sanjay Jaju, in his presentation at the meeting, had pointed out that nearly 71% of people preferred online medium for news, while 49% depended on social media.
He also said the changed landscape necessitated timely dissemination of information and posed a challenge in responding to fake news and disinformation. Jaju stressed the need for “timely response to fake news on social media during the golden hour,” according to minutes of the meeting.
During the meeting, the Minister of Pharmacy and Culture noted that the response of certain departments is sometimes “deliberately delayed” by certain media outlets to distort news to gain traction.
The Cabinet Secretariat in its notice stated that the secretaries are empowered to officially communicate with the media on approved government policies, plans and programs to provide clarity or respond to fake and distorted news.
However, they should avoid informing the media about proposals under discussion or speculative stories. Secretaries and other officials should avoid any perception of “self-aggrandizement or claiming personal honor,” the report said.