Coronavirus: Government criticised over delay in setting up fake news unit

'We’ve known since January about deliberate attempts to spread fear and falsehoods on social media about coronavirus, with potentially serious outcomes,' says DCMS committee chairman

MPs have demanded answers from the government over why it has taken two months to establish a fake news unit to counter disinformation on coronavirus.

Julian Knight, chairman of the powerful DCMS committee, questioned the slow response when ministers had been aware of "deliberate attempts to spread fear and falsehoods on social media" about the outbreak since January.

In a letter to the the culture secretary Oliver Dowden, the committee warned that rumours and false narratives could undermine public health efforts to stem the spread of the virus.

Last week, the government set up a counter disinformation unit in Whitehal to work with social media firms to remove disinformation and conspiracy theories linked to Covid-19.

But Mr Knight asked why the response had been so slow, saying: “We’ve known since January about deliberate attempts to spread fear and falsehoods on social media about coronavirus, with potentially serious outcomes.

“We support the government’s decision to tackle disinformation and misinformation about Covid -19 at this critical time but question why it has taken so long for ministers to set this up.

“We want reassurance that the Counter Disinformation Unit will be working closely with social media companies to ensure that people receive vitally important and accurate information and can trust what they see online.”

In his letter, Mr Knight also asked how the unit was being staffed and how officials were working with social media platforms to identify disinformation.

Ministers, the NHS and social media firms have all warned the public about conspiracy theories and fake news spreading online, including misleading adverts and posts promoting bogus treatments.

Separately, Mr Dowden announced he was staying at home after a family member developed coronavirus-type symptoms.

In a statement on Twitter, Mr Dowden said: "A member of my family currently has Covid 19 symptoms so in line with government advice I will be remaining at home.

"I'm feeling fine and will of course be working on DCMS priorities in these very challenging times, and continuing to support my constituents in Hertsmere."

It comes as the government drastically escalated its response to the coronavirus outbreak, urging people to work from home wherever possible and avoid non-essential social contact. Anyone with symptoms has been told to self-isolate.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab advised Britons against any non-essential travel for the next 30 days and warned anyone who needs to go abroad to bear in mind the risk of being stranded overseas.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has been contacted for comment.