The government will set up centres at three different levels to coordinate efforts to deal with fake news on social media, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said.
The cabinet on Tuesday approved the Prime Minister’s Office draft regulation to crack down on fake news and false information on social media to ensure that the people receive correct information, the spokesman said.
Under the new regulation, the centres will be established to integrate efforts to tackle fake news, Mr Thanakorn said.
The permanent secretary’s office of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) will establish a central coordination centre, which will act as a main centre, while each ministry will also set up its own coordination centre to tackle the problem.
The Provincial Administration Department under the Interior Ministry will also set up such centres in each province with provincial governors or their deputies in charge.
In the event of the spread of fake news, concerned officials under the new regulation must alert the public immediately and inform the Public Relations Department in one hour to swiftly correct the news and take legal action against those involved in spreading them, he said.
Authorities must also ask the MDES to immediately remove the fake news from the computer system, he said.
"The draft will serve as a guide to deal with fake news, particularly information which creates social divisions, ruins the country’s reputation and damages the economy," Mr Thanakorn said.
