YouTube is the main medium of misinformation worldwide, claim fact checking organizations

More than 80 fact checking organizations have written a letter to YouTube about misinformation on its platform. In a letter to CEO Susan Wojcicki, the organizations say the Google-owned video platform is ‘one of the leading mediums of online disinformation and misinformation around the world.’ Organizations say that YouTube’s efforts to solve the problem are proving inadequate. The letter said that YouTube is allowing its platform to be exploited and exploited by unscrupulous people. Fact checking organizations say this problem is especially prevalent in non-English speaking countries.

According to a news agency report, all the fact checkers are members of the International Fact Checking Network. These include Rappler of the Philippines, Africa Check, Science Feedback of France and dozens of other groups. All of them have slammed YouTube, saying that it takes a decision on whether to delete or not delete content.

Fact checkers have written that displaying fact-checking information is more effective than removing content. These fact checkers have also requested YouTube to take action against repeat violators and step up efforts against misinformation in languages ​​other than English.

In her statement, YouTube spokesperson Elena Hernandez said that the company has invested heavily in all the countries where people create content. He has described fact checking as an important tool. Also said that this is a small piece of a big puzzle.

Talking about India, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had ordered last month to block 20 YouTube channels and two websites that were doing anti-India propaganda and spreading fake news. Two orders were issued by the ministry. In one of these, YouTube was directed to block 20 channels and in the other to block websites. Content on issues like farmers’ protest, Citizenship (Amendment) Act was posted on these YouTube channels. Along with this, they were also trying to instigate the minorities against the central government.