Tamil Nadu Fact Check Unit Faces Backlash Over Allegations of Paid DMK Support on Social Media
Tamil Nadu’s Fact Check Unit, set up on November 2, 2023, to identify and respond to false news, rumors and misleading content circulating on social media, websites and news platforms, has come under fresh criticism. The state government says the unit, operating under the Special Programme Implementation Department and the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, was created to verify suspicious claims related to government schemes, ministries, accidents, fake videos and content designed to spread hate or damage the reputation of political leaders. Its stated role is to examine whether such information is true or false and to publish evidence-based clarifications through official social media channels and websites.
Supporters of the unit say it helps people distinguish between authentic and fabricated information in an environment where digital content spreads rapidly. They also point to its media literacy objective, arguing that the public should not immediately believe every post or video without checking the source. When questionable content is detected, the unit reportedly verifies it with the relevant departments before issuing a public clarification.
However, the fact-checking body has faced objections from the beginning because it was established by the government itself. Critics argue that a state-run fact-checking system could be used to favor pro-government narratives while suppressing dissenting opinions and legitimate criticism. The issue has even reached the courts, where judges reportedly raised questions about how any body can definitively decide what is true or false in every case, noting that even courts sometimes face difficulty making such distinctions.
More recently, controversy grew after claims circulated on social media about the unit’s expenses. Posts alleged that its director, Ayan Karthekeyan, receives a monthly salary of Rs 3 lakh and that the unit costs the Tamil Nadu government about Rs 29.62 lakh per month. These claims triggered outrage online, with some users comparing the figure to the chief minister’s salary and questioning why a fact-checking official would be paid more.
A separate political controversy has also emerged over the unit’s continued operation after a change in government. Critics have asked why the body remains active if it was formed during the DMK administration. They further allege that the unit’s practical purpose was to target social media users who criticized the ruling party by pressuring them through police action or encouraging arrests. Opponents say such a system should not continue if it is being used to intimidate critics rather than only combat misinformation.
The Tamil Nadu government is now expected to issue a detailed explanation in response to the growing backlash. The debate has highlighted the larger tension between fighting misinformation and protecting free expression in the digital age.
