A recent UNESCO survey has highlighted a critical issue in the digital landscape: 62 per cent of online influencers admit they do not fact-check the content they share. The findings, based on a study by Bowling Green State University researchers, surveyed 500 influencers across 45 countries and included 20 in-depth interviews.
The results show that many influencers rely on questionable methods to assess information. For example, 42 per cent determine credibility based on the number of likes and shares a post receives. Meanwhile, 19 per cent trust the reputation of the original author or publisher, and 20 per cent share content provided by trusted friends.
Interestingly, only 37 per cent of influencers use mainstream news media as a source, opting instead for personal experiences or self-conducted research and interviews. This shift away from traditional news sources poses challenges in combating online misinformation.
In response to these findings, UNESCO has announced a month-long training programme to help content creators tackle disinformation and hate speech. The course, developed by media and information literacy experts, aims to teach influencers how to verify information, source content responsibly, and combat harmful narratives.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating, “Digital content creators play a vital role in shaping cultural, social, and political discussions. Yet, many struggle with disinformation and online hate speech.”
The training will empower influencers with tools to uphold global human rights standards on freedom of expression and information, ensuring a more reliable and ethical online environment.
