News consumption
New Study: So Many People Fear Misinformation on the Internet
It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between serious and dubious news online
© Ivan Pantic/Getty Images
Anyone who browses through a newspaper usually knows that they are getting thoroughly checked news from reputable journalists. However, online it is no longer so easy to distinguish between reliable sources and fake news. This unsettles many people.
The influence of social media on public life is now great for almost everyone, regardless of their age or social status. But social networks such as TikTok, Facebook, Twitter/X, Telegram or Instagram also show negative sides in everyday life. UNESCO now wants to combat some of the most serious of these, namely disinformation and hate messages, with the help of state regulation.
The UN organization is just as concerned about the difficult-to-understand mix of real and dubious news on the networks as its users. According to a study by the Ipsos Institute, 56 percent of respondents from different countries now primarily consume their news on social networks. Significantly more than via television or the printed press. However, 68 percent of those surveyed also said that the amount of misinformation is highest on social networks.
Respondents know about fake news on the internet
More than 85 percent of the people Ipsos interviewed feared the influence of fake news online. A full 87 percent even believe that such misinformation has already harmed their country. And UNESCO also fears that uncontrolled fake news could have an influence on elections – the organization wants to better protect them from manipulation with stricter rules in the future. To this end, it calls for the creation of independent public regulatory authorities: These must be equipped with a clear mandate and sufficient resources to implement their tasks, it was said on Monday in Paris when the concept was presented.
Serious news or just opinion making?
The relevant national authorities must work closely together to avoid any form of “ethical dumping”, says UNESCO. The organization is demanding more initiatives from the platforms themselves to train their users so that they can learn to take a critical look at the news presented to them. In “sensitive phases” such as elections, regulatory authorities and platforms would have to take additional, increased protective measures.
In addition, transparency and accountability would need to be introduced into the algorithms used. Content moderation must be possible and effective in all regions and all languages. The impact on human rights must be “the compass for all decisions in the design of the platforms”. Specifically, UNESCO required the platforms to provide a sufficient number of qualified moderator teams.
UNESCO has far-reaching demands
They should be able to speak all the main languages of social media in order to be able to carry out reliable and effective control of the uploaded content. It must also be ensured that the platforms function appropriately during emergency situations such as armed conflicts and disasters. So much for the “wish list” that the operators of the relevant platforms will certainly not like – especially when it comes to the transparency of the algorithms.
Social networks
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Disinformation and hate speech are currently spreading at unprecedented speed and destabilizing societies, UNESCO said. Regulating digital platforms is therefore necessary. With two billion people worldwide called to vote next year, 2024 will be a crucial year for freedom of expression and access to reliable information. The UN cultural organization plans to organize a first global conference of regulators of digital platforms in the middle of next year.
Sources: Study, “Guardians”dpa