Forensic Journalism, PIB Stress Fact-Based Reporting to Tackle Misinformation

The growing importance of forensic journalism in tackling misinformation and strengthening public trust took centre stage at the Inter-Media Publicity Coordination Committee (IMPCC) meeting organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) , where experts called for evidence-based reporting to counter the rising threat of fake news and digital misinformation.

Addressing officials from various Union ministries and departments, NFSU Vice Chancellor Dr. J.M. Vyas said journalists are often among the first responders to reach the scene of crimes, accidents and disasters. He stressed that reporters must possess the ability to scientifically assess evidence and verify facts before presenting information to the public, making forensic journalism an increasingly important discipline in modern media.

Dr. Vyas said forensic journalism combines investigative reporting , forensic science , digital verification , Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) , geolocation, metadata analysis and scientific fact-checking to reconstruct events based on evidence rather than speculation. With the rise of AI-generated content , deepfakes, manipulated images and misleading social media posts, he said journalists should prioritise fact-checking , adopt a scientific approach and practise evidence-based reporting to distinguish misinformation from deliberate disinformation. He noted that organisations such as UNESCO regard verification as the cornerstone of professional journalism, underscoring the need for multiple-source authentication before publishing news.

Highlighting the university's expertise, Dr. Vyas elaborated on NFSU's role in identifying victims of the Air India plane crash , stating that the university completed DNA testing of all 270 deceased victims within just 10 days , enabling timely and accurate identification and demonstrating the value of forensic science in humanitarian response.

Speaking at the meeting, PIB Director General Prashant Pathrabe said the average human attention span has dropped to nearly eight seconds , leaving communicators with only a brief opportunity to capture attention and build public confidence. In an era dominated by fake news, misinformation and disinformation, he described credibility as the greatest asset for institutions and communicators.

Pathrabe said the rapid expansion of digital and social media has transformed the flow of information while also accelerating the spread of misleading narratives. He stressed that public trust can only be strengthened through factual, responsible and transparent communication , adding that effective communication is not merely about delivering messages but also about building confidence in institutions.

Representatives from NFSU, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Doordarshan, All India Radio (Akashvani), the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Defence Public Relations Office (Defence PRO), ISRO, the Gujarat State Information Department and the Department of Posts reviewed awareness and publicity initiatives conducted during the month under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign. Participants also shared plans for upcoming outreach programmes and discussed strategies for wider dissemination of various Government of India welfare schemes.

The meeting featured discussions on effective government communication , institutional credibility, emerging public relations challenges and strategies to maintain public trust in the digital era. It concluded with a renewed emphasis on strengthening coordination among ministries and departments while reinforcing the role of forensic journalism and evidence-based communication in ensuring accurate, credible and responsible dissemination of information.