ISLAMABAD: Keeping in view the rising instances of online false news, the Federal Information Ministry, MOIB, has set up a twitter handle to identify and debunk fake news.
The twitter handle titled “FakeNewsBusterMOIB @FakeNews_Buster” was set up on October 01, 2018 apparently after multiple instances of false news targeting Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, PTI government surfaced on social media.
Immediately after the account was set up, it shared social media posts and debunked two instances of false news spreading against PTI government.
One instance involved multiple social media posts against PTI MNA Maleeka Bokhari. According to them, Maleeka had been appointed as head of Benazir income Support Program allegedly because she was sister of Prime Minister Imran’s Khan close friend and special assistant on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari. However, Maleeka took to social media to clarify her position. It was also retweeted by FakeNewsBusterMOIB.
Another false news spreading on social media was that Prime Minister Imran Khan had appointed first lady Bushra Bibi’s daughter as PM advisor on women empowerment at a monthly salary of PKR 7,50,000. It was also identified by the twitter handle.
Users of social media must realize that it is their collective responsibility to post information which is based on facts not rumors. The social media community must discourage those who are involved in disseminating #FakeNews. pic.twitter.com/dY6KUwiyiO
— FakeNewsBusterMoIB (@FakeNews_Buster) October 1, 2018
Quoting Information Minister Fawad Chaudhar, the twitter handle noted that fake news was eroding social media’s credibility and called upon twitter users to reject false news.
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
— FakeNewsBusterMoIB (@FakeNews_Buster) October 1, 2018
Meanwhile, journalists and activists expressed mixed feelings at this initiative.
GNN Senior Anchorperson Ghareeda Farooqi lauded this initiative on Twitter.
Wow. PTI Govt launches Fake News Buster twitter account. Isn’t this cool ! Good job @fawadchaudhry 🙂 pic.twitter.com/Kdex2Syuy2
— Gharidah Farooqi (@GFarooqi) October 1, 2018
However, Asad Baig from Media Matters for Democracy noted that fact checking was not the government’s job.
Maybe I am being skeptical, but the problem with ‘governments’ taking on the job of journos by ‘fact-checking’ doesn’t bode too well for #FreePress. For instance, Trump’s idea of #FakeNews is CNN, or anything really that he doesn’t like. Govts should stick to official statements. https://t.co/xgqtmXp2gM
— asad beyg (@asadbeyg) October 1, 2018
Some called upon the government to not restrict this initiative to the benefit of PTI only.
Good job @fawadchaudhry ???? however , It ll be useful if this attempt is extended across the board and not limited to just one party or the govt @FakeNews_Buster https://t.co/SwLx5MveWF
— Sadaf Jabbar (@sadafaj) October 1, 2018
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) now has an official Twitter account “for exposing fake news”. It can be accessed at @FakeNews_Buster. Let’s see if the effort remains partisan or is across the board.
— Umer Ali (@IamUmer1) October 1, 2018
Ironically, multiple twitter accounts impersonating the official account has also surfaced.
Please beware that @FakeNewsBuster_ is a fake account. The official account is @FakeNews_Buster which can be verified from the official website of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.The case is being referred to NR3C for further necessary action. https://t.co/hF8KvdGMcG. pic.twitter.com/IsZFxIX9Mu
— FakeNewsBusterMoIB (@FakeNews_Buster) October 2, 2018
