Misleading and manipulative information on the internet has increased significantly, especially with COVID-19. Users who want to reach the right information, unfortunately, started to deal with many asparagas news. A large group of organizations that wanted to prevent this negative situation called on the YouTube platform to take action.
Over 80 verification bodies came together to publish an open letter to YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki through the Poynter Institute. The Institute argued that conspiracy theories and false information, which have become increasingly common around the world, should be prevented as soon as possible.
How will YouTube prevent misleading content?
YouTube, which entered our lives in 2005, has struggled with many important problems until now. Showing its sensitivity on issues such as hate crimes, racism, harassment, child abuse and exploitation, the company has reviewed its content on COVID-19 related issues, especially against vaccination, in recent years. In this direction, more than 1 million videos have been removed from the platform recently. However, users still think that this is not enough.
Stating that YouTube is armed by unscrupulous people, the Poynter Institute shared that they think that the platform does not make enough efforts to solve this problem. The signers even said that YouTube helped use the platform to manipulate users.
In the open letter shared, the videos about the vaccine boycott were pointed out. Also mentioned were Greek and Arabic videos featuring non-traditional treatment methods for COVID-19. According to the institute, the platform can raise awareness not only by removing these videos, but also by refuting the explanations inside the videos. The signatories emphasized that this is the only way to combat disinformation.
The letter explained that the company should show the same focus on content produced in languages other than English, and that it is important to work harder with independent verification bodies. As of now, there has been no response to the letter from any YouTube spokesperson or the company’s CEO, Susan Wojcicki.
So what do you think about this? How should YouTube go about avoiding misleading content? Do not forget to share your views with us.
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