Social networking platforms have had a hard time in tackling misinformation and fake news. This becomes more concerning when a crisis is going on, let’s say the Covid-19 pandemic. The ongoing conflict in Israel is also no exception, and reflects these platforms, especially X (Formerly Twitter) that offers real-time news, have a long way to go in this regard. X-owner Elon Musk is also confronted with this reality amid growing influx of misinformation and fake news on his social media platform. The company is scrambling to roll out several measures to tackle this problem, but for now, they seem pretty much ineffective.
Ironically, Musk has boasted about getting his dose of news from X rather than what he described as “Legacy media propaganda.”
“I don’t read the legacy media propaganda much anymore. It’s a waste of time and a sadness generator,” he said in a post a few days ago.
It also appears that the wide roll out of blue ticks through a subscription arrangement has also not helped X’s case in tackling misinformation. A quick search on X will show quite a few blue tick holders spreading false news about the ongoing conflict.
Misinformation on X: A Growing Challenge
Misinformation about the Israel-Gaza conflict has been spreading across X, with users sharing misleading information about the ongoing attacks. False claims have run rampant, including misrepresenting prior Israeli airstrikes as recent events and disseminating false information about the United States sending a multi-billion dollar aid package to Israel. To make matters worse, some of these false claims originate from accounts posing as official news outlets.
While the spread of viral false information during conflicts or a crisis is not a new phenomenon, experts have grown increasingly concerned about the current state of X under Elon Musk’s leadership. According to Caitlin Chin-Rothman, a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), “Especially Twitter, I would say, has really degraded its content moderation abilities.”
Also Read: Former Twitter Employee Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Prison for Spying on Behalf of Saudi Arabia
X’s Response to Misinformation During the Israel-Gaza Conflict
As mentioned above, X’s trust and safety team has taken steps to address the spread of misinformation during the Israel-Gaza conflict. They have removed newly created Hamas-affiliated accounts, along with tens of thousands of posts containing graphic media, violent speech, and hateful conduct. To augment their efforts, X released community notes to share the impact of the platform’s creator’s work and the changes they are making.
Despite these efforts, experts and advocates believe that X has turned into a minefield of false news. The changes made by Musk have shifted the incentive structure for how information is discussed and shared on the platform, making it easier for individuals to present themselves as experts, even when they lack expertise. There are also reports of AI news reporters which can also spread false information, read more here about AI news reporting.
Read More: Stripping Headlines From News Links Could Mark Musk’s Latest Revamp to Platform X
Examples of Misinformation on X
The examples of misinformation during the Israel-Gaza conflict are alarming. False claims, such as an explosion near the White House and a fake White House press release authorising emergency aid to Israel, have gained significant traction. Videos mislabelled as recent Israeli airstrikes and false information about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu being ill have also circulated widely.
The impact of misinformation on the platform is evident. Users find it challenging to sift through and locate reliable news accounts amidst the deluge of misleading information. Despite the presence of “Community notes” attached to some posts to clarify the authenticity of the content, false news continues to thrive.
Comparison with Other Companies
X’s approach to tackling false information is not unique. Other tech companies have also taken measures to combat the spread of false information on their platforms.
Google is actively combating misinformation by pledging over $29 million to support a new initiative aimed at tackling fake news and misinformation online. This funding will go to organisations like the European University Institute, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and the European Digital Media Observatory. Google’s approach to fake news involves prioritising reliable content in its ranking systems, prohibiting harmful or false information, and providing context to help users make informed judgments. They also display fact-checks in search results and Google News and introduced a dedicated fact-check section for COVID-19 news in the United States during the pandemic.
Facebook and YouTube
Many social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, have implemented content moderation teams to remove or reduce the visibility of harmful or false content. For example, Facebook has implemented fact-checking partnerships and efforts to reduce the spread of false information, labelling and reducing the visibility of false or misleading content.
In the case of YouTube, owned by Google, the platform promotes authoritative sources and fact-checking information in its video recommendations and search results.
Conclusion
In conclusion, misinformation is a growing challenge, particularly during conflicts like the Israel-Gaza situation. Platforms like X have struggled to manage the spread of misleading information. Other tech companies are also working to address this issue, emphasising fact-checking, content moderation, and providing users with more context to discern reliable information from falsehoods. In a world where information can be weaponised, the battle against misinformation is more critical than ever. The catch, however, is that social networking platforms need to be neutral in tackling this. In the past, we have seen these companies operating with a bias and making arbitrary decisions to deal with the misinformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Has Misinformation Proliferated on X During the Israel-Gaza Conflict?
Misinformation on X during the Israel-Gaza conflict has proliferated through the spread of false claims and misleading information. Users have shared content that misrepresents prior Israeli airstrikes as recent, and false claims about the US sending substantial aid packages to Israel have circulated widely. Some of this false information has originated from accounts posing as official news outlets, making it difficult for users to distinguish between real and fake information.
How Did Elon Musk’s Changes to X Affect Its Response to Misinformation?
Elon Musk brought significant changes to X, including rolling back content moderation measures and reducing staff responsible for content moderation. The verification process was also transformed to allow users to pay for blue checkmarks, diminishing their authenticity. These changes, along with the decision to stop showing headlines on posts containing article links, have shifted the incentive structure for sharing information, making it easier for misinformation to thrive and challenging the platform’s ability to respond effectively.
Why Is the Battle Against Misinformation Considered Increasingly Critical, Particularly During Times of Conflict?
The battle against misinformation is considered increasingly critical during times of conflict because false or misleading information can exacerbate tensions, incite violence, and hinder peaceful resolution. In such periods, emotions run high, making people more susceptible to manipulation through misinformation. Disseminating false narratives can further polarise opposing sides, impede diplomacy, and even lead to real-world consequences, highlighting the urgency of combatting misinformation to promote accurate understanding and reduce the potential for conflict escalation.