Britain launches unit to combat fake news

London: The British government has launched a new ‘national security communications unit’ to combat the growing menace of fake news and disinformation. 

Fake news is often referred to as completely false information, photos or videos, deliberate misinformation or hoaxes created and spread to confuse or misinform people. The new unit, introduced on Wednesday, is part of a wider review of the country’s defence capabilities, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Theresa May said. 

“We are living in an era of fake news and competing narratives. The government will respond with more and better use of national security communications to tackle these interconnected, complex challenges,” he said. “To do this, we will build on existing capabilities.”