Empowering Public Opinion Safely Using Entrusted Media Sources

In the era of fake news,  the need to report accurate and reliable information that reflect the facts is more important than ever.

The internet has opened a door to sharing information with a globally dispersed audience, yet this without first focusing on developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for evaluating and mitigating risks in digital environments. How? By solidifying the process of filtering the tone, style but above all, accuracy of information disseminated.

Of course, public empowerment is absolutely essential as it is only through well-informed agents (i.e., online readers), that sound decision-making can be achieved. However, for this to happen, proper oversight of information needs to be at the top of the list of the media management list.

AI are revolutionizing the fact-checking process to achieve what is a key twofold; that of upholding the media news’ integrity as well as build and/or maintain trust amongst online readers.

 

Defining Fact-checking

It is the process of checking that the accuracy of the facts cited in a piece of writing, a news article, a speech, etc. are correct. When talking about facts, we mean statements and claims made by public figures and media outlets.

 

How Can Fact-checking Benefit Parties On Various Fronts

Content verification and validation is highly important as it can help promote transparency and accountability. Fact checking is the only way to discern true from false information and stop the amplification of misleading narratives, and by extent the only way to ensure the credibility of information sources and protect democracy as a result.   

Let’s see the benefits of fact-checking for some key groups:

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• Media Professionals (Journalists) – it is fundamental to reporting as it ensures that stories are founded on verified information coming from trusted and credible sources

• Researchers – it is absolutely essential to have access to accurate and cross-checked data to ensure findings are safe to be used to curate studies and draw safe and accurate conclusions

• Public (Online Readers/Users) – it is necessary to build trust to media outlets as the source of truth to help prevent the idea that media sponsors promote the interests of some.

 

How Can AI-powered Tools Upgrade The Fact-Checking Process

AI technologies are by default automation driven. Natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) are AI tools primarily used to analyze vast datasets, identify errors, and cross-check information. As any AI-powered process, this effort is achieved in a significantly less time-consuming manner while it requires minimal labor compared to previous years.

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How Can AI Help The Battle Against Fake News and AI Tools Currently Used For Fact-Checking

Machine learning and natural language are processing are at the forefront of modern fact-checking. Machine learning algorithms can be trained to recognize patterns in data, helping identify potentially false claims, while natural language processing enables AI tools to understand and interpret human language, making it easier to analyze textual information. 

Let’s see some AI tools currently used for fact-checking:

 

• Google Fact Check Explorer can help summarize facts via its easy and intuitive search option.  It is designed to facilitate the work of fact checkers, journalists, and researchers.

• Full Fact Government Tracker is an AI integrated tool that can help flag false statements mainly focusing on claims delivered public figures.

• FactMata uses machine learning (ML) to scan news articles and social media platforms to help analyze the validity of online content.

• PolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of statements made by elected public officials and others on its Truth-O-Meter.

• Factiverse is an AI tool that journalists can leverage to speed up the fact-checking process.

• Claim Review is a tagging system that fact-checkers can use to identify their articles for search engines and social media platforms.

• Tin Eye is a tool journalists use to search for duplicates of the image, track where the image has appeared before and use the reverse searching technique. 

• Truepic is used by journalists to validate visual content for authenticity.

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AI-powered Tools At The Service Of The Democratic Institutions And Fundamental Rights. AI And Humans - A Meaningful Partnership

AI-powered tools can help revolutionize the media news industry improving efficiency and scalability. However, nothing can ever replace, or should ever hinder, the human element for its critical role in the process as the only real input of critique and judgment.

The point of integrating AI into the process is to ensure that any existing fact-checking method is enhanced and optimized rather than replaced. This entails the human factor in the role of the supervisor, yet empowered with state-of-the-art AI tools to help foster information accuracy, prevent any further amplification of misleading narratives and ultimately ensure the existence of entrusted online content and channels.