Facebook opens hunting Dutch fake news

amsterdam - Facebook now also takes in the Netherlands measures to prevent the spread of 'fake news'. The social network has partnered with news Nu.nl and New Checkers of Leiden University. They will intensify their efforts to identify the rotten apples from the new stream and to warn users of fabricated, misleading messages.

Secretary Sander Dekker (Media) responds enthusiastically. 'Dissemination of fabricated messages can have far-reaching implications, not least at election time. 'He therefore welcomes wholeheartedly the initiative.

Facebook was already similar partnerships in the United States, France and Germany. Specialized fact checkers and journalists from leading media such as AP, AFP and the French public broadcaster check stories reported by Facebook users.

As these countries get into Dutch users to messages that they do not report confidence. If two fact checkers then independently come to the conclusion that a message is fake, Facebook provides the warning 'questioned' by explaining it. Messages that have such a negative review to be lower in the message flow. Also, there can not longer be advertised with it.

Delete messages goes too far, says the company. 'Ultimately, it is up to the user to decide what he thinks,' said spokesman Patrick Walker. He acknowledges that there is also discussion about the reliability of mainstream news media. 'That's a broader discussion. But several media proving for many years that they do thorough journalistic research. 'Fact Checkers that work with Facebook, adhere to fixed principles established by the American Poynter Institute.

The coming period Facebook and fact checkers test how the plan works in practice in the Netherlands. Facebook hopes to find more organizations willing to separate real news from fake messages. The company focuses on technical means, for instance by refusing messages from fake websites.