Facebook stamps out false news about COVID-19 with new education campaign

We’re living through weird times right now with lots going on. It can be hard to keep up with news, and know what’s real and what’s not, especially when it is clear that some influencers and bad actors are spreading COVID-19 misinformation online.

In response to this, Facebook has launched a new campaign with digital creators to target misinformation, and provide toolkits with resources and instructive guides to prevent false, misleading and incorrect information being shared to social platform followings.

Influencer Abbie Chatfield will be at the forefront of the campaign, and in a recent interview with The Daily Aus said:

”A lot of people just don't understand how to recognise sources. I often get my information from either government websites or direct primary sources, like quotes ... I did a whole video series where I asked doctors and pharmacists and scientists [about] common misconceptions and common misinformation that is being spread about coronavirus and the vaccine."

"I'm hoping [by] using my platform, I'll be able to help people understand how to recognise misinformation before they share and think about what they are sharing," she said.

Facebook has said it is now, more than ever, committed to working to connect people to accurate sources, and show less misinformation — especially about COVID-19.

“We want to give people the tools to make informed decisions about the information they see online and where it comes from. To support this effort, over the coming weeks we’ll be rolling out a new campaign in countries across EMEA to educate and inform people about how to detect potential false news.”

In consultation with fact-checking partners, Facebook has also developed ‘Three Questions To Help Stamp Out False News’, which will show up on Facebook through a series of creative adverts, and link out to a dedicated website - www.stampoutfalsenews.com

These advertisements will ask people to challenge the information they see on posts by asking themselves the following:

1. Where’s it from?
   If there’s no source, search for one.

2. What’s missing?
   Get the whole story, not just the headline.

3. How does it make you feel?
   People who make false news try to manipulate feelings.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, Facebook has said it will continue working with industry experts and people on their platforms to ensure they are effectively tackling misinformation, and providing social media users the resources they need to help spot and challenge the content they are seeing online.

To learn more check out Stamp Out False News