New Delhi, December 20, 2025: The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check Unit has urged the public to report any suspected fake news or misinformation related to the Government of India, as part of its ongoing efforts to curb the spread of false information about official policies, schemes and actions. The call for vigilance was highlighted in the Rajya Sabha by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan, who said that citizens can send complaints or requests for fact-checking via WhatsApp, email or through the PIB website.
The Fact Check Unit, established in November 2019 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, works to counter the dissemination of fake news and misinformation about government matters by verifying content and publishing factual clarifications. Dr. Murugan noted that the unit’s mandate includes reviewing information circulating on various platforms and providing authoritative fact checks to prevent misunderstanding and misinformation among the public.
Members of the public who come across news or content that they believe to be false or misleading can send it for verification to the dedicated WhatsApp number at +91 87997 11259, by email, or submit requests directly on the PIB Fact Check web portal. The unit then assesses the information and responds with verified findings to help stop the spread of inaccurate content.
Officials said the initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance media literacy and ensure citizens have access to reliable information about government activities. The public’s participation is seen as crucial in identifying and flagging suspicious content that may otherwise go unchecked on digital platforms.
