Facebook, Google to stop ads from appearing on fake news sites

BuzzFeed News reported the major outlets had the most activity on Facebook before the race’s last three months – but got swamped by fake news as Election Day neared.

Google said it is working on a policy change to prevent websites that misrepresent content from using its AdSense advertising network. After all, brands and small businesses alike have long assumed that their ads on Facebook could sway opinions. Buzzfeed News pointed out fake news site Ending the Fed as one of the more successful sites, having four of the top 10 false election stories.

Facebook is also said to be facing brewing internal turmoil over its influence and what it can and should do about it. Facebook has faced the greatest criticism for the proliferation of such false news stories. And while these organizations are private institutions which can act independent of the First Amendment on their medium, users and consumers of the products have valid concerns about how the entities will define, police and remove what they deem as “fake” news.

Facebook was accused of supposedly having an enormous influence over Donald Trump’s presidential election victory, because of “fake stories” posted on users feed.

The News Feed is Facebook’s algorithmic tool that constantly refreshes news stories, status updates, photos, friend activity and so on. So, the company deliberately chose not to take steps to curb fake news as it impacted right-wing publishers.

Facebook frequently tweaks its algorithm to improve engagement.

Both statements are highly problematic to advertisers looking to reach an audience on Facebook. Eventually Facebook staff will be put in a position of determining what is and isn’t “real” news.

Zuckerberg said work has already begun that would enable users “to flag fake news and hoaxes”. For example, if a Fox News article is accidentally marked fake, the channel itself and its supporters wouldn’t be happy. “They determine what is news”. Hearing Zuckerberg argue that Facebook users aren’t receptive to posts and ideas shared on the service directly undermines this notion.

Facebook is arguably the most influential news source in the country. “Our goal is to show people the content they will find most meaningful, and people want accurate news”.

Technology and social media companies are increasingly seeing themselves as victims of those who game the system to spread misinformation either with purposes to mislead the public or for personal profit, as Buzzfeed recently exposed in an investigation.

At the same time, Jones said he thinks the broader issue of Facebook’s responsibility is one that’s going to be “debated forever”.