Govt adopts multi-level approach to fake news

The government will set up centres at three different levels to coordinate efforts to deal with fake news on social media, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said.

The cabinet on Tuesday approved the draft of a Prime Minister's Office regulation to crack down on fake news and false information on social media to ensure the public receives correct information, the spokesman said.

Under the new regulation, the three centres will be established to integrate efforts to tackle fake news, Mr Thanakorn said.

The permanent secretary's office of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) will establish a central coordination centre which will act as a main centre, while each ministry will also set up its own coordination centre to tackle the problem.

The Provincial Administration Department under the Interior Ministry will also set up such centres in each province with provincial governors or deputy provincial governors in charge, Mr Thanakorn said.

In the event fake news is detected, concerned officials under the new regulation must alert the public immediately and inform the Department of Public Relations within one hour to correct the news and and take swift legal action against those involved in spreading false information, he said.

Relevant authorities must also ask the MDES to remove the fake news from the computer system straight away, he said.

"The draft will serve as a guide to deal with fake news which affect the public, particularly information which creates social divisions, ruins the country's reputation and damages the economy," Mr Thanakorn said.