Tamil Nadu Government develops a fact-checking team to combat misinformation

A fact-checking team has been established by the Tamil Nadu government to counter hate speech, sectarian misinformation, and fake news about the state government on various media platforms.

As per media report, an order has been issued by the Tamil Development and Information Department on October 6 and the new unit will be involved in fact-checking.  

Led by Iyan Karthikeyan, who gained notoriety for his fact-checking YouTube channel "YouTurn," the unit will consist of eighty members. It will report to the Department of Special Program Implementation, headed by Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.  

This action is in response to the establishment of fact-checking units by Kerala and Karnataka, two nearby states. The establishment of the new fact-checking unit is due to the growing concerns about communal misinformation, hate speech, and the rapid spread of health misinformation, all of which can disrupt social harmony and affect the public's scientific understanding.

Karthikeyan confirmed his appointment as mission director on X (formerly Twitter) and expressed gratitude to Chief Minister M K Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi for the opportunity. He emphasized the importance of addressing hate speech without limiting freedom of speech, quoting United Nations Secretary Antonio Guterres.

The government's order also outlines the creation of a "Central Task Force" based in Chennai, acting as a core component of the Fact Check Unit. District analysis teams will be established in each of Tamil Nadu's districts to ensure comprehensive coverage. The central task force, headed by the mission director, will be assisted by a project director to coordinate content-related functions.

Additionally, a joint director from the Information and Public Relations Department will oversee public campaigns and awareness efforts and collect information on fake news, misinformation, and hate speech for analysis.