YouTube allocates $25 million to combat fake news

YouTube announced a $25 million commitment to fighting fake news on its platform. This move is a part of the $300 million Google News Initiative launched in March 2018.

YouTube on 9th July posted on an official blog that the company is introducing new features targeted at making YouTube a more reliable source of legitimate news from sources they decide are trustworthy. The video platform is also investing $25 million in grants to news organizations that want to grow their video operations which is a part of a larger $300 million program sponsored by YouTube’s sister company Google.

From now on, YouTube will show previews and links to news articles and their sources in its search results, along with a reminder that facts and details can change in developing stories. Furthermore, some videos will also include text from outside sources such as Wikipedia and Encyclopaedia Britannica to make it easier for viewers to reach their own conclusions.

YouTube said in a statement:

“We know there is a lot of work to do, but we’re eager to provide a better experience to users who come to YouTube every day to learn more about what is happening in the world from a diversity of sources.”

YouTube has been facing serious backlash for more than a year now related to hateful and inappropriate videos as well as fake and spam news on its site. In November, the company deleted around 150,000 videos that attracted sexually inappropriate comments aimed at children. When the YouTube Kids app reportedly showed violent videos, the company created new guidelines to protect kids from disturbing content. YouTube also banned videos showing how to make guns in March.