NEW DELHI: After the NEET paper leak controversy sparked widespread backlash across social media platforms, the Centre has asked secretaries of all ministries to set up Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to combat misinformation related to government policies.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed every central ministry and department to constitute a QRT to detect fake content on social media in real time and counter misinformation within two hours of its origin, an official order said on Monday.
A letter accessed by this newspaper said I&B Secretary Chanchal Kumar warned that rumours on social media “travel fast” and government responses must match that pace to prevent citizens from falling prey to fake content. “It is hereby suggested that Quick Response Teams (QRT) may be set up in your Ministries/Departments to detect fake content on social media in real time,” the letter said.
The directive asked ministries to post factual rebuttals on their respective ministry’s social media handle within two hours of a misleading post surfacing. Responses must be limited to 200 words while maintaining factual accuracy. Ministries were also told to adapt content for platforms such as Instagram and YouTube and use memes, posters, graphics and short videos to maximise reach and achieve “algorithmic amplification.”
Calling for the teams to be constituted “on an immediate basis,” Kumar directed that QRT members be trained within one week and sensitised to the two-hour response window. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also said it would “support” ministries wherever required.
Separately on Monday, the Centre directed all ministries and government officials, and MPs, MLAs and party members to promote India’s E20 ethanol-blended fuel policy extensively and aggressively on social media.
The campaign comes amid rising consumer complaints and opposition criticism over the rollout. The directive reportedly called “for four videos — customised for X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube — to be posted and widely circulated by party workers and officials.”
Responses must be limited to 200 words
Responses must be limited to 200 words while maintaining factual accuracy. Ministries were also told to adapt content for platforms such as Instagram and YouTube and use memes and short videos to maximise reach.” Calling for the teams to be constituted “on an immediate basis,” Kumar directed that QRT members be trained within one week and sensitised to the two-hour response window.