Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday, 9 October 2026, announced that the state government will soon formulate a dedicated social media policy governing official information and communication, in line with the demands of today's digital landscape. The announcement came at a seminar on 'Emerging Trends in Social Media' organised for Information Service Officers at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.

Key Announcements

Chief Minister Majhi outlined plans to establish a seamless digital information and communication mechanism within the Information and Public Relations Department, spanning from the district level to the state headquarters. Crucially, he confirmed that a stringent fact-checking system will be put in place to counter misinformation and rumours circulating on digital platforms.

'A seamless digital information and communication mechanism will be established in the Information and Public Relations Department, extending from the district level to the state headquarters. A stringent fact-checking system will also be implemented to counter misinformation and rumours spread through digital platforms,' Majhi said.

The Case for Modernising Government Communication

Majhi noted that today's youth are significantly ahead of government agencies in their use of social media and artificial intelligence platforms, outpacing the reach of traditional media. He urged Information Service Officers to move beyond issuing press releases and instead function as skilled communication professionals capable of engaging with citizens across digital channels.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the current era is no longer defined solely by print and electronic media — it is equally shaped by social media and the creator economy. He observed that the mobile phone in every citizen's hand has effectively become a newspaper, television, radio, and a multi-purpose communication tool combined.

Three Principles for Government Messaging

Majhi stressed that all government communication must adhere to three core values: accuracy, promptness, and simplicity. He warned that errors in official data or statistics are unacceptable, and that delays in sharing information create a vacuum that bad actors can exploit to spread false narratives.

'Errors in government information or statistics are unacceptable,' Majhi said, adding that accurate information must reach the public quickly and in language that ordinary citizens can readily comprehend. He also advocated for storytelling over dry statistics, encouraging officers to highlight human stories and beneficiary testimonials as evidence of effective service delivery.

Deepfakes and AI-Driven Misinformation

The Chief Minister flagged deepfakes, cloned voices, and artificially generated videos as major challenges in the age of artificial intelligence. He warned that fake news typically spreads far faster than verified information, making it essential to authenticate any content before sharing it through official channels.

'Government officials must remain lifelong learners and develop expertise in digital media, fact-checking and video content creation,' Majhi said, calling on Information Service Officers to continuously upskill to stay ahead of emerging threats.

What Comes Next

The Odisha government is expected to release a draft of the social media policy in the coming weeks, with implementation beginning at both district and state levels. The initiative positions Odisha among a small group of Indian states actively codifying digital communication standards for their public information machinery. How quickly the fact-checking infrastructure can be operationalised — and whether it will be staffed independently or embedded within existing departments — will determine its effectiveness.