UNESCO has issued a warning that social media influencers urgently need help in fact-checking before sharing information with their followers to prevent the spread of misinformation online.
A report by UNESCO revealed that two-thirds of content creators fail to verify the accuracy of their material, leaving both them and their followers susceptible to misinformation.
The report emphasized the importance of media and literacy education to assist influencers in shaping their work based on accurate information.
Creators’ susceptibility to misinformation due to low fact-checking practices can have significant implications for public discourse and trust in the media, according to UNESCO.
While many creators do not verify information before sharing it, they often rely on personal experiences, research, and conversations with knowledgeable individuals as their primary sources.
UNESCO’s study revealed that the popularity of online sources, measured by likes and views, plays a significant role in creators’ trust, highlighting the need for improved media literacy skills.
To address this issue, UNESCO is collaborating with the Knight Center for Journalism of the Americas to offer an online course on becoming a trusted voice online, focusing on fact-checking and creating content during elections or crises.
Media literacy expert Adeline Hulin noted that many influencers do not perceive their work as journalism, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of journalistic practices and their impact.
Additionally, UNESCO’s findings indicated a lack of awareness among creators regarding legal regulations, with only half of them disclosing sponsors and funding sources to their audience, as required in some countries.
The survey, involving 500 content creators from various countries, revealed that most influencers are nano-influencers under 35 years old, primarily using Instagram and Facebook, with up to 100,000 followers.
Source: www.theguardian.com
