Image Source: TRIBUNE

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) on Monday reiterated its Saturday advisory to all social media intermediaries to initiate awareness campaigns and warn users not to circulate or upload any false information or news about the coronavirus pandemic.

In the advisory, which was again circulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for amplification, MEITY said, such misinformation or fake news is likely to create panic and disturb public order.

“Social media intermediaries must also take down or disable such content on a priority basis,” it said, adding that efforts need to be made to “promote the dissemination of authentic information related to coronavirus as far as possible”.

According to reports in the media, social media intermediaries operational in India have been introducing several measures to curb the menace of fake news and prevent misinformation in India.

While Facebook-owned WhatsApp started depicting “forwarded” or multiple forward indicators on messages circulated several times across the internet, Facebook itself has tied up with some independent fact-checkers to let people know that a piece of news or information that has been shared by independent fact auditors might be wrong.


Besides, micro-blogging application Twitter has also been under a lot of pressure to control the huge influx of unverified news that is circulated on its platform. After criticism, the company is recently reported to have said it would remove or block from viewing any tweets that could cause harm by spreading any misinformation about Covid-19.

Showing their sense of responsibility, such intermediaries have been showing on their platforms the links to the World Health Organization’s dos and don’ts regarding the virus, and how to contain its spread.