SMM Collective Nouns

There are no hard and fast rules about whether to use singular or plural verbs with collective nouns, eg The government has/have declared that ... Some media organisations always treat them as singular, others as plural. Perhaps the best advice is to treat each case on its merits: if you see it a single entity over and above the individuals involved, use singular; if it is more a collection of individuals, then plural.

Recommendations are as follows: 

Singular:

Most organisations; the government, political parties, terrorist groups, committees and commissions, agencies, companies, the army (but the military plural, it means more than one force).

Plural:

Collections of individuals; the crowd, the mob, the group, (as opposed to an official Group), the class.

The police, always plural; The police are investigating (but 'police command' is singular).

Sports teams, always plural; Nigeria have been drawn to play... (compare, Nigeria has appealed to the US ..., where you mean the government).

Musical groups (not many members).

Most importantly, be consistent:

Incorrect: The government has decided to challenge their critics.