BRUSSELS: TikTok and Meta are to work more closely with fact-checkers to prevent a new migration crisis event, after incidents in Ceuta last month which left dozens dead, according to the European Commission.
Tens of thousands of people temporarily crossed into the Spanish North African exclave of Ceuta from Morocco late last month, overwhelming the tiny territory and triggering a political dispute over the protection of the EU's external borders.
Social media appears to have played a significant role in the incident. Numerous migrants said videos and messages on platforms such as TikTok suggested that the normally heavily guarded border had suddenly been opened.
Ways to spot misinformation
There are ways to check whether what you see is likely true or not, say specialists.
One way is to gather your news from multiple sources and outlets. That means a wide range of information will come into your regular news content.
If the same news is corroborated across multiple channels, there is a higher chance that it is not misinformation.
A quick Google search can help you determine if other reliable sources are discussing the topic. If they aren’t, the chances that it’s fake news go way up, UNICEF says in a series of tips.
When in doubt, choose which information requires further investigation or follow-up questions.
With information that comes from social media, tracing back the information to the original source is a great way to fight misinformation.
If the information comes from a less-than-reputable source or is contrary to expert advice, be sceptical of the information presented, and make a note that the channel where you found the information may not be the best.
When you see something, ask yourself, "Should I share this?” Once you can spot misinformation warning signs, it will be easier to understand why it is important to pause before sharing what you read online.
Fact checkers help platforms
Now, under the coordination of the commission, fact-checkers with knowledge of the local situation "can flag any harmful disinformation related to, for example, a potential new mass crossing of the border," a European Commission spokesman says.
This is also to help platforms to better decide what content should be removed, he says.
EU digital chief Henna Virkkunen slammed Meta and TikTok over their handling of misinformation during the mass border crossings, calling for greater monitoring of social media platforms during crises.
The commission, Europol and social media platforms are in daily contact and have increased coordination, Virkkunen says after a call with Spanish Digital Transformation Minister Oscar López Agueda.
The commission is also available to provide further support to Spain if requested by Madrid, Virkkunen says. – dpa
