When major developing news occurs, such as the Buffalo Mass Shooting last weekend, many jump on Twitter to get the latest information. However, as the details come out, some disinformation surfaces on the platform.
In an attempt to help combat any incorrect details in real-time, the social media platform is introducing a crisis misinformation policy. This global guideline will steer Twitter’s efforts to boost credible information when a crisis moment.
“In times of crisis, misleading information can undermine public trust and cause further harm to already vulnerable communities,” Twitter said in a statement.
“Alongside our existing work to make reliable information more accessible during crisis events, this new approach will help to slow the spread by us of the most visible, misleading content, particularly that which could lead to severe harms.”
Twitter stated that the policy has been under development since last year and will “determine whether claims are misleading, we require verification from multiple credible, publicly available sources.”
Some instances of Tweets that the company may add a warning notification to include:
- False coverage or event reporting, or information that mischaracterizes conditions on the ground as a conflict evolves;
- False allegations regarding use of force, incursions on territorial sovereignty, or around the use of weapons;
- Demonstrably false or misleading allegations of war crimes or mass atrocities against specific populations;
- False information regarding international community response, sanctions, defensive actions, or humanitarian operations.
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
