The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has warned that social media influencers need to fact-check information before sharing news with their followers to reduce the spread of misinformation online.
According to a UNESCO report, two-thirds of influencers fail to verify the authenticity of online content, leading to both them and their followers falling victim to false information.
These findings come at a time when social media influencers have become key sources of news and cultural information for global audiences, yet 62% are still unaware of basic fact-checking methods.
UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay stated that digital content creators have gained a pivotal role in spreading information, connecting millions of people to cultural, social, or political news. However, many are encountering misinformation and online hate speech, highlighting the need for further training for influencers.
UNESCO conducted a review of 500 influencers across 45 countries, revealing significant gaps in the methods of verifying online content.
