A fact-check unit of the Central government has identified more than one thousand 500 fake news items in the last three years. In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Ashwini Vaishnaw said, more than 72 thousand queries have been received. He said the Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau posts fact-checked and correct information on its social media handles. He said the fact-check Unit was set up in 2019 with the objective to counter the dissemination of fake news and misinformation pertaining to the government. The Minister said that people could send their complaints and fact-check requests regarding news items circulating on matters pertaining to the government through the WhatsApp Hotline – 8799711259 and the website of the PIB Fact Check Unit.