Facebook continues to fail in identifying and labeling fake news and conspiracy theories that, for example, the USA is funding the use of biological weapons in Ukraine. This is the conclusion of a current study by the Center for Countering Digital Hate ( CCDH ). Accordingly, the Meta subsidiary is said to have failed to label 80 percent of the articles on this topic on its platform accordingly. The experts examined a sample of postings from February 24th to March 14th in which external articles with unfounded claims about bioweapons were shared.

Free ride for nonsense

“If our researchers can identify false information about Ukraine that is openly circulating on this platform, then there is also the possibility that Meta will do the same,” it said. According to CCDH CEO Imran Ahmed, the group is allowing the majority of things to go online unhindered. The bioweapon theory began spreading on QAnon accounts early in the war in Ukraine and then spread to larger platforms like Fox News. The White House has condemned this myth, arguing that it could have originated in Moscow to justify the possible use of chemical weapons against Ukraine.

Researchers used the social analytics tool “ NewsWhip ” to identify more than 120 articles from outside sites that reported false or misleading claims about bioweapons labs or misrepresented statements from U.S. officials. The articles in the sample had been liked, commented on and shared more than 150,000 times on Facebook.

General problem

According to Ahmed, Russia's propaganda campaigns have benefited for years from Meta turning a blind eye to disinformation. “Instead of putting a lot of pressure on state channels, Meta fails to contain grand narratives of disinformation from which Putin then benefits.” According to Facebook spokesman Kevin McAlister, the study misinterprets the extent and scope of the efforts made. “In fact, we have the most robust system for checking false claims anywhere. Our fact-checking partners have debunked dozens of claims about the hoax in multiple languages, including Ukrainian, Russian and English.”

Previous CCDH studies have found that Facebook has struggled to implement its own rules for labeling state-backed news sources. Another study by Media Matters for America also showed that YouTube not only did not remove thousands of videos about the biolab theory, but also profited from them through monetary channels. Although some experts have acknowledged Facebook needs to crack down on state propaganda more thoroughly, others say disinformation on social media will continue to spread as long as its business model continues to rely on views.

Source: pte


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