Bangkok: Prasert Chantararuangthong, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, has revealed the government’s initiative to tackle the surge of fake news, particularly focusing on misinformation related to border situations.
According to Thai News Agency, Prasert emphasized the need for rapid analysis, with a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) goal of scrutinizing news within three hours. Since 2019, authorities have examined 1.1 billion news items.
Prasert’s announcement came after a meeting that involved social media analysis. He highlighted the detrimental effects of fake news, which include creating division, confusion, misunderstanding, and public disunity. On August 5th, Prasert convened a discussion with various social media platforms to devise strategies for preventing and suppressing fake news. The platforms agreed to prioritize monitoring news related to border situations and to enhance measures for blocking and managing misinformation. They are required to notify authorities of any Information Operations (IO) activities to stop their spread. Efforts are underway to improve identity verification for advertisers on social media platforms.
Prasert noted that upon detection of fake news, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society will maintain continuous vigilance. A KPI has been set to ensure that a news item’s accuracy is analyzed and reported within a three-hour timeframe. The public is encouraged to report fake news via the Anti-Fake News Center website or by typing AFNC. This initiative also addresses misinformation originating from neighboring countries. The verification process involves checking information upon receipt, and results are swiftly communicated to relevant agencies, including the Public Relations Department and international media, in both Thai and English.
Regarding legal action against purveyors of fake news, Prasert stated that the Royal Thai Police and the Ministry of Justice should collaborate closely. He urged influencers and others with negative intentions to exercise caution when presenting news that could be misleading or inaccurate.
Prasert also pointed out the high volume of fake news emanating from neighboring countries, which varies based on circumstances. Since 2019, 1.1 billion news stories have been scrutinized, and with current technological advancements, the government’s capacity to detect fake news has significantly increased.