COVID-19: PIB sets up fact check unit, starts a daily bulletin

NEW DELHI: The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has set up a COVID-19 Fact Check Unit to verify fake news related to COVID-19. It will be assisted in this by experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences or, AIIMS.

The COVID-19 Fact Check Unit will receive messages by email and send its response in quick time, an official statement said.

PIB said it will also release a daily bulletin at 8 pm to inform people regarding government’s decisions and developments and progress on COVID-19. The first bulletin was released on April 1 at 6.30 pm.

The Supreme Court on March 31 had asked the government to start a daily bulletin to clarify doubts related to COVID-19 pandemic. It was to be made active within 24 hours.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has set up a technical group consisting of professionals from AIIMS to clear doubts on technical aspects of COVID-19. It has also issued guidelines on dealing with psychological issues amongst migrants, the statement said.

The cabinet secretary has written to all the state governments informing them that 11 Empowered Groups have been constituted under the Disaster Management Act to manage the COVID-19 situation.

The state governments have been requested to adopt a similar mechanism and engage volunteers to supervise the welfare activities related to the migrants.

Also read:

• Fake COVID-19 news: IIT Bombay launches ‘KauwaKaate’ to check facts
• COVID-19 Lockdown: Have a routine to deal with exam chaos, say experts

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