Indian IT Ministry has no records of 'fake content' order

India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) possesses no information regarding a directive from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) that called for the establishment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to combat fake and misleading content on social media. This was revealed in a response to a Right to Information (RTI) query received by Medianama and dated September 18, 2026. The original order, reportedly issued by MIB on July 27, instructed central ministries and departments to set up QRTs to rapidly address counterfeit, deceptive, and manipulated content on social platforms.

Medianama has also filed a similar RTI with MIB, identified as the originator of the order, and is awaiting their response. The news site has also challenged MeitY's reply. In August, Medianama had reported on MIB's advisory, which directed ministries' social media teams to monitor content related to their respective domains and report suspicious material to the QRTs. These teams were expected to coordinate with the Press Information Bureau's (PIB) Fact Check Unit (FCU) to provide verified responses within two hours.

According to reports, MIB's directive included specifications on word limits for fact-checked responses and mandated their dissemination across platforms like Instagram and YouTube, including as memes and short videos, for "algorithmic amplification." This initiative followed Prime Minister Modi's call for ministers to be more proactive on social media.

MeitY's response was a general statement indicating no information was available in their records. This raises questions about inter-ministerial coordination in managing digital content and the ultimate responsibility for data collection and dissemination. The situation is complicated by the fact that both MeitY and MIB have previously had their own fact-checking units, leading to ambiguity regarding their roles and authorities.