Islamabad (TDI): UNESCO says two-thirds of content creators broadcast material without fact-check for accuracy of their material that create a possible awkward situation of disinformation.
In a statement, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said the social media influencers need urgent help to check their facts before they broadcast to their followers to reduce the spread of misinformation online.
Social media influencers have become primary source of news for global audiences, yet 62 percent lack basic fact-checking practices, UNESCO said.
It added that Social media influencers need urgent help to check their facts before they broadcast to their followers, in order to reduce the spread of misinformation.
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According to a report by the UN’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, two-thirds of content creators fail to check the accuracy of their material, making them and their followers vulnerable to misinformation online.
“ Digital content creators have acquired an important place in the information ecosystem, engaging millions of people with cultural, social or political news. But many are struggling in the face of disinformation and online hate speech and calling for more training,” the UNESCO statement read.
According to reports, the UNESCO ‘Behind the screens’ survey, conducted with expertise from Bowling Green State University in the USA, examined 500 influencers across 45 countries, exposing critical gaps in content verification practices.
The survey uncovered trends in how creators assess information credibility including 42 per cent who use social/ digital media metrics like ‘likes and shares’ as primary credibility markers, while 21 per cent of respondents share content based solely on ‘trust in friends’ who shared it.
Traditional news media, despite its expertise, ranks low as a resource, with only 36.9 per cent of creators utilising mainstream journalism for verification.
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The digital rights landscape presented another challenge. Nearly 60 per cent of creators operate without understanding basic regulatory frameworks and international standards, leaving them vulnerable to legal risks and online harassment.
While one-third report experiencing hate speech, only 20.4 per cent know how to properly report these incidents to platforms.
