On March 20, 2024, the Government of India officially designated the Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check Unit (FCU) as the authorized fact-checking body under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules 2021). This move aims to combat the spread of misinformation related to the Central Government’s activities across digital platforms

Legal Framework and Mandate

The notification, issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), empowers the PIB FCU to identify and flag online content that is “fake,” “false,” or “misleading” concerning any business of the Central Government. This authority is granted under sub-clause (v) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 3 of the IT Rules 2021

Operational Scope

Established in November 2019, the PIB FCU’s primary objective is to deter the creation and dissemination of fake news and misinformation pertaining to the Government of India. The unit actively monitors, detects, and counters disinformation campaigns, ensuring that false information about the government is promptly exposed and corrected

Implications for Digital Platforms

Under the IT Rules 2021, intermediaries like social media platforms are obligated to make reasonable efforts to not host or publish information that has been identified as false by the government’s fact-check unit. Failure to comply may result in the loss of “safe harbour” protections, which shield platforms from liability for user-generated content

Public and Legal Reactions

The notification has sparked debates concerning press freedom and potential censorship. Critics, including the Editors Guild of India and the News Broadcasters & Digital Association, argue that granting the government authority to determine the veracity of information could suppress dissent and legitimate criticism

Legal challenges have been mounted against the notification. Notably, comedian Kunal Kamra filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, contending that the amendments could be used to silence government critics under the guise of combating fake news .

The Supreme Court of India has since stayed the Union Government’s notification on the PIB Fact Check Unit, citing concerns over freedom of speech and expression .

Conclusion

The formal notification of the PIB’s Fact Check Unit under the IT Rules 2021 represents the government’s intensified efforts to address misinformation related to its operations. However, the move has ignited significant discourse on the balance between combating fake news and upholding democratic freedoms. As legal proceedings continue, the ultimate impact of this development on India’s information ecosystem remains to be seen.

PIB Flags Misleading Claim on EAM Jaishankar’s Remarks About Operation Sindoor

• A viral social media post falsely attributed a statement to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, claiming India informed Pakistan ahead of its strikes on terrorist infrastructure during Operation Sindoor.

• The Press Information Bureau (PIB) fact-check unit has categorically denied this claim, calling it misleading.

• Jaishankar never said India notified Pakistan before the operation — an extremely unlikely scenario given the nature of cross-border counter-terrorism strikes.

• PIB urged the public to stay alert and avoid spreading unverified or false information.

Context: Pakistan’s Disinformation Campaign Post-Operation Sindoor

• Following India’s military action on May 7, Pakistan has launched a coordinated disinformation offensive on social media.

• Pro-Pakistan accounts circulated old images and videos (e.g., a February 2025 IAF Mirage 2000 crash) falsely claiming these were related to the recent operation.

• Official Indian sources highlighted that this is a deliberate attempt to confuse facts, distort reality, and manipulate public opinion.

• The misinformation flood aims to make it hard for people to distinguish between truth and fabricated stories of military “victories” or retaliations.

Key Takeaway

This episode illustrates how fake news and misquotes can be weaponized in information warfare — making it critical for everyone to verify before sharing, especially on sensitive national security matters.

🚨 Fact Check | FAKE Front Page: “Pakistan Air Force: The Undisputed King of the Skies”

📢 A viral social media post claims that UK newspaper The Daily Telegraph published a front-page article on May 10, 2025, praising the Pakistan Air Force with the headline:

“Pakistan Air Force: The undisputed king of the skies.”

🛑 Truth: This claim is 100% FALSE and AI-generated.

🔍 Debunked by the Press Information Bureau (PIB):

• No such article was published by The Daily Telegraph.

• The viral image is a digitally fabricated fake.

• Even Pakistan’s Foreign Minister falsely cited it in the Senate, giving credibility to a nonexistent report.

🧠 Key takeaway: This is a classic example of digital deception being used to mislead and manufacture fake prestige.

📌 Stay Alert:

• Verify before you share.

• Always cross-check headlines from reputed international publications.

✔️ Verdict: Fabricated Image | AI-Generated Misinformation