Govt launches Twitter handle to combat 'fake news'

Move comes after rumours of appointment of PM Imran's stepdaughter as his adviser

ISLAMABAD: The cyber wing of the federal Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Monday created a new Twitter account to 'identify and expose fake news and documents.'

Officials in the ministry of information and broadcasting said ‘FakeNewsBusterMoIB’ was generated following rumours of PTI lawmaker Maleeka Bokhari's appointment as chairperson of Benazir Income Support Programme.

The objective of social media is information, education and knowledge sharing. It should be based on truth and should not spread #FakenNews and disinformation, to achieve ulterior motives. Otherwise, it will erode its credibility. @fawadchaudhry @gop_info https://t.co/HIfYe7qQ4w

— Fact Checker MoIB (@FactCheckerMoIB) October 1, 2018

Some rumours were also afoot that Prime Minister Imran Khan had appointed his stepdaughter "Mehru Maneka" as adviser to PM on women empowerment on a remuneration of Rs750,000.

It is our collective obligation as a responsible citizen of this country to discourage and reject the spread of #FakeNews. @fawadchaudhry @gop_info @pid_gov @PTVNewsOfficial @RadioPakistan @appcsocialmedia pic.twitter.com/iC4aK87s52

— Fact Checker MoIB (@FactCheckerMoIB) October 1, 2018

Earlier in the morning, Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry said the person spreading fake news will be identified and action will be taken against them.

"A series of fake notifications and news is systematically spread on social media, it started from a media dinner picture and now there is a series of such rubbish," Fawad said. "Without affecting freedom on social media, we need to take strict action against fake news."