Post Reports The misinformation war in Ukraine
Apr 13, 2022
Naomi Nix, a social media reporter at The Washington Post, and Will Oremus, a tech writer, dive into the battle against misinformation in Ukraine. They discuss the vital role of fact-checkers combating propaganda while navigating dangers on the ground. Naomi highlights the challenges of Facebook's misinformation policies, while Will reveals the biases of TikTok in Russia, showcasing how it filters content to comply with censorship laws. Both shed light on the tension between keeping platforms open and the responsibilities of tech companies in wartime.
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Raindrop Conspiracy
- A video from Bucha, Ukraine, showed bodies scattered along a road after Russian retreat.
- Social media users falsely claimed the video was doctored because of visible raindrops, alleging the bodies were actors.
Fact-Checking in Ukraine
- Independent fact-checkers in Ukraine, like 22-year-old Valeria Stepaniak, debunk misinformation on Facebook.
- They use journalistic methods and software to verify content, like using satellite imagery to debunk claims about the Bucha video.
Facebook's Misinformation Policy
- Facebook outsources fact-checking to avoid deciding truth themselves.
- Unlike hate speech or violence, misinformation isn't broadly prohibited, except in specific categories like health or elections.