Facebook and Twitter are the latest social media networks that joined major media such as CNN, Washington Post and the New York Times in the First Draft coalition. This is a group that aims to improve the quality of media content worldwide.
First Draft Members Now Include Facebook and Twitter
The First Draft Partner Network is a coalition of major media such as CNN, the New York Times, the Washington Post and Youtube. Facebook and Twitter are the newest additions to the group. The group aims to improve the conditions and methods of reporting news around the world. Here are some of the key issues that they are facing:
- What is the best way to search for eyewitness media when a story breaks?
- What are the most efficient and effective ways to verify what you find?
- How should you approach and credit social sources?
- What role can you play in stopping the spread of rumors and hoaxes?
- How can you do all this while remaining commercially competitive?
The First Draft community has stated that malicious hoaxes and fake news reports are being published in ways that fool the readers into thinking that they are in fact reality. The social networks also share the concerns about the trust and truth in the media portrayal of the news. The filtering of false information is a challenge to journalists and reports. The problems have increased tremendously in both frequency and scope as people share content on their profiles, in groups and private messages.
First Draft aims to work with specialists, academics, and investigators to provide ideas and initiatives that amend these issues. Some key components of their plan are the launch a train-the-trainer program, the creation of a collaborative verification platform and a voluntary code of practice.
Each of the partners in the coalition is committed to sharing their policies, knowledge, and training in the reporting of news on the social web and acquisition of relevant data. For more information, you can read the official announcement on their website.
