68,914 misinformation queries raised, 1,575 fake news cases flagged since 2022: PIB

As of March 19, 2025, over 5,000 queries have been received, out of which 1,811 are actionable with 97 cases of fake news, MIB minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said during a parliamentary session

by e4m Staff
Published: Mar 27, 2025 1:06 PM | 2 min read

The Fact Check Unit (FCU) under the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), has flagged a total of 1,575 fake news cases since 2022, revealed Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, during a parliamentary session on March 26.

Since 2022, a total of 68,914 queries related to potential misinformation have been raised, with 22,861 flagged as actionable. Over the years, the number of fake news cases identified has varied, reflecting ongoing efforts to tackle misinformation.

According to official data, in 2022, 25,626 queries were received, out of which 8,107 were considered actionable, leading to 338 cases of fake news identification. The following year, in 2023, the total queries dropped to 20,684, with 6,623 requiring action and 557 cases of fake news flagged. In 2024, the numbers stood at 21,404 total queries, with 6,320 flagged as actionable and 583 cases of fake news identified.

As of March 19, 2025, a total of 5,200 queries have been received, out of which 1,811 have been categorized as actionable, and 97 cases of fake news have been flagged so far. However, since the year is still ongoing, these numbers may change over the coming months.

The PIB Fact Check Unit employs an Information, Education & Communication (IEC) strategy to spread awareness. Once misinformation is verified and debunked, PIB disseminates corrected information through its social media platforms, ensuring that the public has access to authentic updates.

“The Fact Check Unit is committed to countering misinformation through official government sources and ensuring that misleading narratives do not impact public perception,” the minister stated during the session.

Despite efforts to curb misinformation, the growing presence of AI-generated fake content, deepfakes, and manipulated narratives continues to pose a challenge. Experts emphasize that while fact-checking efforts have scaled up, the rapid spread of misinformation on digital platforms requires stronger regulatory interventions and media literacy initiatives.

With nine more months left in 2025, the number of flagged fake news cases is expected to rise, making continued vigilance and public awareness crucial in the fight against misinformation.