Most influencers lack basic fact-checking practices
- A survey by UNESCO found that 62% of influencers do not verify information before sharing.
- Many influencers use popularity metrics like likes and views as credibility indicators.
- This lack of rigorous fact-checking contributes to a dangerous digital culture and misinformation.
A recent survey, titled 'Behind the Screens,' conducted by UNESCO and Bowling Green State University, highlighted a concerning trend among digital content creators worldwide. This survey involved 500 influencers from 45 different countries and was conducted in eight languages. The results revealed that 62% of these content creators lack basic fact-checking protocols, raising alarms about the quality of information being shared with the public. Furthermore, the survey indicated that 42% of the influencers rely on the number of likes and views as the primary measure of credibility for online content. This reliance on popularity over factual accuracy can have profound implications, especially as one in five Americans currently receives their news from such influencers, underscoring the potential for misinformation to spread rapidly in today's digital landscape. The study also noted that 32% of influencers reported experiencing hate speech, contributing to a hostile environment that further complicates the dissemination of reliable information. These findings cast a shadow over the effectiveness of social media platforms in promoting accurate discourse and protecting individuals from harmful interactions in an increasingly provocative online culture. The lack of reliable fact-checking practices by these influencers represents a significant gap in accountability among digital content creators, necessitating a critical reevaluation of how information is shared and consumed in the digital age.