Govt trains top babus on tackling online misinformation

NEW DELHI: To help bureaucrats issue quick and sharp responses to fight misinformation, the govt is sensitising its secretaries, joint secretaries, additional secretaries and directors on the use of new age media, including social media and podcasts, to put out facts coupled with information and status of schemes. TOI has learnt that a day-long conference was held for all secretary-level officers last week. Top bureaucrats, including the principal secretaries to the PM - P K Mishra and Shaktikanta Das - and cabinet secretary T V Somantahan, gave detailed presentations.

Later this week, a similar programme will be held for additional and joint secretaries, while directors will be sensitised next week. "There is serious thinking on roping in influencers and artistes as they could have more impact than traditional govt communication," said an official, adding that plans are afoot to set up rapid response units within ministries.