RMIT FactLab is helping Meta address viral misinformation

RMIT FactLab, an RMIT University research hub, has partnered with Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp, in an attempt to reduce the spread of viral misinformation.

The organisation will assist Meta in debunking social media posts in Australia and Asia Pacific, by reviewing and rating the accuracy of the posts. Each time this happens Meta will notify those who have shared the content that the information is false, and the tech giant will also reduce the content distribution of the post.

According to RMIT FactLab Director Russell Skelton, “We see this as a really important public service. If we can play a role in preventing the dissemination of misinformation on social media that has the potential to mislead or harm, then we see that as providing a really critical service.”

RMIT FactLab will become the third Australian-based organisation to join Meta’s third-party fact-checking program, alongside AAP and Agence France-Press (AFP). There are over 80 independent third-party fact-checkers globally working with the social media giant, across more than 60 languages.

The research hub will work with primary sources, public data and conduct analyses of video and photo multimedia to fact-check content.

While the content, accounts and pages will not be removed from Facebook or Instagram, Meta will provide links for the users that disprove their original reporting.

“A continuing focus of our work is to identify the super spreaders of misinformation and the ecosystems in which they operate. High impact misinformation disrupts evidence-based public policy and debate and so it is crucial we gain a better understanding of what drives this,” said Skelton.

RMIT FactLab has hired six casual journalism graduates to staff the new partnership.

According to RMIT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Design and Social Context (DSC) and Vice-President Professor Tim Marshall, “RMIT FactLab is committed to social media verification, research and education and improving public awareness of the disruptive and harmful nature of misinformation and disinformation.”

Meta Australia’s Head of Policy Josh Machin said the new partnership will “support our ongoing efforts to connect people to accurate information on Facebook and Instagram.”

“We know the importance of ensuring Australians have access to reliable information about the important topics on our platforms, like COVID-19 or the upcoming election in Australia,” he said.

The Meta and RMIT FactLab partnership will begin on March 21st 2022.