Eager to refurbish its image before the crucial Assembly polls in some States and the general elections next year, the Government on Thursday approved the establishment of a new media wing in the Information and Broadcasting to publicise its initiatives through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social media tools.
The Union Cabinet approved I&B Ministry’s proposal to set up the wing at a cost of Rs 22.5 crore during the 12th plan. The new wing, as first reported by The Pioneer, will create content, track and analyse trends, act as an early warning system and also provide proper responses on the new media.
The Research Reference and Training Division of the Ministry would be restructured through an executive order and young officers of the Ministry would be deputed in the new wing.
They will have latest gadgets, including smartphones, to keep in touch with the latest developments on the social media. The new wing would be headed by a senior officer of Joint Secretary level and will work under his overall supervision, direction and guidance.