Assam govt warns against fake news

Taking te of increasing number of news portals, Assam government on Friday said actions will be taken if any such website is found to be spreading fake and fabricated news to mislead public.

Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna held a discussion on rapid increase of news websites in state with Commissioner and Secretary of Information and Public Relations Department Preetom Saikia and Director Anupam Choudhury.

"It has come to tice of government that most of times, some news web portals have been involved in disseminating fake, false and fabricated news, which have misled general public," an official statement said.

re is a huge possibility of se fake news having an adverse effect, particularly on upcoming generation, it added.

"False information and fake news circulated in news web portals and social media may always cause harm to our society. Moreover, it is also observed that social media platforms are being exploited by many for purpose of vested interest and spreading false and fake news," statement said.

chief secretary directed authorities concerned to keep a strict vigil on such news websites and social media platforms.

" Chief Secretary also directed to take immediate action under cybercrime laws against such news web portals and social media users," statement said.