All Sections

View and post jobs in journalism
  • Platforms
  • Publishers
  • Comment/Analysis
  • Editor's Pick
  • Interviews
  • News
    • Broadcast Journalism
    • Digital Journalism
    • Magazines
    • Media Law
    • National Newspapers
    • People
      • Appointments
      • Obituaries
    • Regional Newspapers
  • Press Gazette Podcast
  • British Journalism Awards
  • Press Gazette Email Newsletter

In the news

  • Platforms
  • Publishers
  • Interviews
  • Marketing
  • Editorial standards
  • About/Contacts
  • Advertise/Partnerships
  • Privacy Policy
Close
[mashshare]
Skip to content
  • Editorial standards
  • About/Contacts
  • Advertise/Partnerships
  • Privacy Policy
All sections

Search

Search pressgazette.co.uk

Close

Press Gazette

Subscribe to our email newsletter Journalism email newsletter
  • News
  • Comment
  • Data
  • Platforms
  • Publishers
  • Marketing
  • Awards
  • Jobs
  • Partners

Menu

  • Platforms
  • Publishers
  • Interviews
  • National Newspapers
  • Regional Newspapers
  • Digital Journalism
  • Broadcast Journalism
  • Media Law
  • Magazines
  • Wires and Agencies
  • Obituaries
  • News
  • Comment/Analysis
  • Jobs
  • British Journalism Awards

In the news

  • Platforms
  • Publishers
  • Interviews
  • Marketing
Close
Six journalists working for UK-based news outlets featured on Forbes 30 Under 30 media list
'Inoculating' social media users against 'fake news' will help filter it out, MPs told
January 23, 2018
  • Digital Journalism
  •    
  • News
  •    
  • Social media
  •    

Prime Minister announces rapid response unit to tackle 'fake news'

By Pavlena Todorova Twitter

Share this

  • Tweet
  • Share 0
  • Reddit
Comments
3

The Prime Minister is to launch a rapid response unit to battle the proliferation of “fake news” online, it has been announced.

Officially named the National Security Communications Unit, it will be tasked with deterring adversaries and combating misinformation spread by state actors, Press Gazette understands.

The unit is also expected to monitor social media platforms and will be based in the Cabinet Office, according to Alex Aiken, executive director of the Government Communication Service (GCS).

Aiken said in an interview with PR Week that the civil service needed to “build a rapid response social media capability to deal quickly with disinformation and reclaim a fact-based public debate”.

Theresa May will authorise the creation of the unit, according to The Times. It also reported that insiders doubt that Whitehall could operate quickly enough to disrupt social media rumours.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “The Government is committed to tackling false information and the Government Communications Service plays a crucial role in this.

“Digital communications is constantly evolving and we are looking at ways to meet the challenging media landscape by harnessing the power of new technology for good.”

Social media platforms, including the likes of Facebook and Twitter, have come under increased scrutiny in recent months amid concerns about Russian-backed interference in US and UK politics.

The UK’s fake news inquiry, being carried out by the Departure for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has asked both social media platforms for details about potential foreign interference in the Brexit vote.

Facebook has said it will expand its investigation into whether Russian agents attempted to influence the EU Referendum vote.

The Government was forced to defend itself last year after fake news surfaced online claiming that the Tories had voted that animals are not sentient beings and so did not feel pain. This was in fact false.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson is expected to give a statement to Parliament later this week laying out further details about new unit.

Picture: Channel 4

SIGN UP HERE FOR

MEDIA MONITOR

Press Gazette's weekly email providing strategic insight into the future of the media

Subscribe

Related Stories

  • The week ahead: G8, Egyptian elections and Adam Smith at Leveson
  • Five journalism jobs could go at Johnston's Yorkshire titles
  • Super injunctions, Milly Dowler, Johann Hari, Andy Coulson, the end of the NotW...Press Gazette's 10 biggest stories of 2011
  • Media Trust and ITV news announce 'Breaking Into News' finalists

Explore these topics

  • Fake news
  • Prime Minister
Browse, search and add journalism jobs
Comments

3 thoughts on “Prime Minister announces rapid response unit to tackle 'fake news'”

  1. john aita says:
    January 24, 2018 at 6:24 pm

    Brilliant. lets let the abject clueless moron define reality for us. GFY lady.

    Reply
  2. DanTheMan says:
    January 24, 2018 at 2:25 am

    “Russian-backed interference in US and UK politics.”

    As claimed by the Hamilton 68 project, run by the German Marshall Fund, A Soros partner, intelligence agency linked, and an organisation for which even a cursory google leaves more questions than answers.

    The whole fake news fiasco is simply a back door for more mass surveillance.

    Reply
1 2

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More content

Post a job on Press Gazette

Most Popular

  1. Roy Greenslade IRA Roy Greenslade and IRA: Northern Ireland coverage scrutinised as Guardian apologises
  2. GB News briefing: Latest appointments news as channel gears up for launch
  3. Noel Fielding among 13 to settle News Group Newspapers phone hacking claims
  4. Meghan Mail appeal refused Mail on Sunday must publish front page statement on Meghan copyright win, judge rules
  5. Roy Greenslade Greenslade responds to outrage over IRA views: “I did nothing more than scores of journalists”

Latest Jobs

  • Editor (Maternity Cover), Place North West
  • Environment Impact Producer, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
  • Global Health Impact Producer, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
'Inoculating' social media users against 'fake news' will help filter it out, MPs told

© copyright 2021 Press Gazette Ltd. Made in Taiwan.