Kerala deploys political ‘capsules’: ‘Fact check’ IDs used to push pro-govt content ahead of polls

Thiruvananthapuram: In the run-up to the elections, the State government has decided to roll out political “capsules” to counter adverse reports and controversies directed against it. The plan involves creating fake social media IDs to circulate short “capsule” posts defending the government’s position.

The issue gained political attention following revelations in an audit report that pointed to discrepancies in the accounts of the Global Ayyappa Meet, sparking considerable debate. No official explanatory note was issued by the government through the IPRD on the matter. However, multiple capsules were circulated on social media through the fake accounts.

The responsibility for generating these fake accounts has reportedly been assigned to members of the PRISM team, who are employed on a contract basis in each district under the Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD).

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The fake accounts are said to have been created under the label “fact check”. Contract staff have been instructed to open and operate the accounts in their personal capacity, without using the name or official social media handles of the IPRD. Although some personnel are understood to have expressed reservations about running such accounts independently to disseminate the capsules, the department is reported to have proceeded with the directive. The capsules will not be posted on the IPRD’s official district-level Facebook or Instagram pages.

Launching such a publicity campaign using public funds is being described as unprecedented and rare.