Parties set up fact-check units to combat AI fakes, viral lies

Madurai: With a surge in misinformation and AI-generated fake content during the election season, major political parties have set up dedicated, decentralised fact-checking units to counter false narratives targeting their leaders and campaigns.Several fabricated "news cards" have gone viral in recent weeks. One falsely claimed that chief minister M K Stalin had promised a law allowing animal sacrifice at Thiruparankundram, while another attributed a statement to AIADMK candidate V V Rajan Chellappa about removing a dargah atop the hill. Both claims were later debunked. In another instance, a viral post alleged that a lorry belonging to AIADMK candidate of the Andipatti assembly constituency in Theni district Logirajan was seized for sand smuggling near Thirumangalam. Madurai district police clarified that no such incident had occurred. To counter such misinformation, parties have begun deploying structured fact-checking mechanisms. The DMK IT wing has launched ‘Firewall', a state-wide initiative involving trained teams across districts to monitor and respond to false content online. "‘Firewall' is a decentralised effort to promote the government's achievements and prevent misinformation from reaching people. This will continue beyond the elections," said industries minister and DMK IT wing secretary T R B Rajaa. The minister said such platforms will strengthen the DMK's online presence and help build trust among young voters. IT wing members have also been trained to post messages in bulk on social media platforms, including X and Facebook. According to party functionaries, each district unit comprises five to ten members who track social media for misleading content. Suspect posts are verified at the headquarters, and rebuttals are issued with supporting evidence. "If the misinformation is serious or defamatory, it will be referred to the legal wing for action," a functionary said. The districts are led by the zonal heads. Similarly, the NTK has formed a 60–70-member fact-check team. "We set this up to tackle misinformation about the party and our chief co-ordinator Seeman. Verified clarifications are shared by key functionaries," said Sunandha Thamaraiselvan, NTK IT wing state president. She cited a recent claim that Seeman suggested an herbal cure for snakebite. "In reality, he referred to it only as a form of first aid," she said. Media analysts say such mechanisms are increasingly necessary during elections. R Vivekanandan of YouTurn noted that parties often rely on informal networks to counter fake news due to time constraints during campaigns. "When misinformation spreads through unofficial channels, parties respond through supporters and sympathisers. But if a senior leader makes a claim, the rebuttal is issued with equal authority," he said. Fact-checker Muralikrishnan Chinnadurai said parties must strategically decide which claims to counter. "There is a clear need for dedicated teams to verify and debunk false information," he said. Another fact-checker, Noorul, pointed to the growing role of artificial intelligence. "The impact of AI in this election is higher than expected. Anyone with basic typing skills can now generate convincing fake content," he said. (With inputs from Deepak Karthik)