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YouTube Enlists Top Stars and $25 Million Investment to Combat Fake News Among Youth
In an ambitious effort to tackle the spread of misinformation, YouTube is deploying $25 million of its $300 million budget to improve the news experience on its platform and educate youth about fake news. The initiative includes partnering with major news organizations, enhancing news-related features on the site, and enlisting popular YouTubers to promote digital literacy among teenagers. This strategic move aims to link breaking news stories with authoritative sources and improve the overall reliability of information on YouTube.
YouTube, a leading platform for video content, is taking significant steps to combat the proliferation of fake news. The company has announced a $25 million investment to support global news organizations and enhance the user experience with credible news content. This article delves into the specifics of YouTube's strategy, the involvement of popular YouTube stars, and the broader implications for media literacy among youth.
The $25 Million Investment Breakdown
YouTube's $25 million investment is part of a larger $300 million commitment aimed at improving the reliability of news on its platform. The funds are allocated across three main areas:
Creating a Working Group: YouTube is partnering with news organizations like Vox Media, Brazil’s Jovem Pan, and India Today. This group will provide product recommendations and help improve the quality of news content on YouTube.
Building Video Capabilities: Funding will be provided to global news outlets in 20 markets to enhance their video production capabilities.
Expanding Global Support: The company is increasing its support for news organizations worldwide to ensure a more robust and credible news ecosystem on the platform.
Enhancing News Features on YouTube
To further its fight against fake news, YouTube is making several updates to its platform:
News Previews and Links: YouTube will add previews and links to news articles for breaking news stories. This will help users access more comprehensive information about current events.
Third-Party Information: For topics with widespread misinformation, such as the moon landing and the Oklahoma City bombing, YouTube will include text from reputable sources like Wikipedia and Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Authoritative News Sources: The Top News and Breaking News tabs will feature videos from validated, authoritative news sources. This ensures that users are directed to credible information.
Local News on YouTube TV: The YouTube app for TV will now showcase more local news, making it easier for users to stay informed about their communities.
Educating Youth with YouTube Stars
Recognizing the influential power of popular YouTubers, YouTube is enlisting several well-known personalities to educate teens about fake news. Among them are Ingrid Nilsen, Mark Watson, John Green, ASAP Science, Destin Sandlin, and Alonzo Lerone. These creators will work with MediaWise, an organization dedicated to teaching digital literacy skills to 1 million teens. Their efforts include:
Ingrid Nilsen: With 3.8 million subscribers, Nilsen has spoken at the Teen Vogue Summit about fact-checking stories online.
John Green: Green’s CrashCourse channel, which has 7.1 million subscribers, has produced a series on online advertising, media ownership, and media influence. Green is also a bestselling author and co-founder of Vidcon.
The Broader Impact of YouTube's Initiative
YouTube's efforts to combat fake news are part of a broader trend among tech companies to address misinformation. This initiative not only aims to improve the quality of news on YouTube but also to empower young people with the skills needed to navigate the complex media landscape. By investing in digital literacy and partnering with trusted news organizations, YouTube is taking a proactive approach to ensuring that users have access to accurate and reliable information.
