Learn how Liputan6.com fact checkers are using short form video to fight misinformation and connect with young adults.
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Fighting misinformation is an ever-evolving problem, and Meta can’t do it alone. We work with independent fact-checkers to review and rate the accuracy of stories through original reporting.
Since 2016, our fact-checking program has expanded to include more than 80 organizations working in more than 60 languages globally that are certified through the non-partisan International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN).
Let’s deep dive into how Indonesian fact checker Liputan6.com has been using fresh formats aimed at younger audiences, such as short videos and comic books, to debunk pandemic-related misinformation.
In November 2021, Liputan6.com was allocated an emergency Third-Party Fact-Checking COVID-19 grant from Meta. The grant was intended to increase the national news portal’s fact-checking capacity of COVID-19 material.
With this funding, Liputan6.com devised a spectrum of content to target younger audiences including:
• 1-minute fact-check videos
• Misinformation highlight videos
• A special interview session on Indonesia’s vaccine program, and
• An anti-hoax comic targeted at young adults
Comic connects with a mass audience
In Indonesia, not all audiences can access video, especially in rural areas. To complement the popular short-form videos, the team produced a traditional comic, Lawan Hoaks (Fight Hoax).
“Initially we intended to produce a fact-check book, however we decided to change the format from book to comic,” said Edu Krisnadefa, Managing Editor, Fact Check Channel, Liputan6.com. “Books have a low level of interest among some millennials.”
The comic captures -– and counters — 21 topics of misinformation circulating during the pandemic. It uses newsroom characters and experts to correct common hoaxes and teach readers how to verify information themselves.
Lawan Hoaks (Fight Hoax) was printed and distributed to libraries and schools in remote areas, so it could be widely circulated. The official launch was broadcast via Facebook Live and the comic books were also gifted to celebrities and public figures in the health sector. These thought leaders shared the comic with their followers and encouraged fans to explore the contents.
Fact-checking in short-form video
“Our aim was to connect with young people under 35 years of age,” said Krisnadefa. “Originally we thought about a book, but we knew the younger generation wouldn’t engage with that format. So we changed to a format – one we knew students and young adults would engage with – short-form video.”
The team believed a shorter video format would be easier than longer-form articles for young audiences to digest. Along with the shorter format, they experimented by coupling fact-checking content with humour while using language that would appeal to a younger demographic.
Liputan6.com produced two types of short-form fact check videos: Semenit Melawan Hoaks (A Minute Against Hoax), which featured as a segment within their long-form programming; and then a series of stand-alone Fact-Check Videos that were published online and distributed on social media.
Humour and fact-checking proves a powerful combination
For the Fact-Check Videos, the Liputan6.com team got creative and aimed to deliver fact-checks that would maintain the attention of younger viewers.
“Our Fact-Check Videos are produced in a fresher style, written to incorporate funny gimmicks that attract attention.” Said Krisnadefa.
In one Fact-Check Video, the journalist dispels a popular hoax which claimed to show people on a bus buying fake COVID-19 test results. The journalist delivers the fact-check while playing the role of the bus driver – a fun twist on a traditional news report.
Check out that Fact-Check Video at this link: facebook.com/watch/?v=741791703849943
Short-form video thrives within long-form news programming
The team found a place for short-form video fact checks within its traditional long-form news broadcast programming. Semenit Melawan Hoaks (A Minute Against Hoax) is a segment of the news program Liputan6.com Update that airs three times a week across multiple digital channels, including Facebook Live and IG Live.
In the Semenit Melawan Hoaks (A Minute Against Hoax) segment, the programme host delivers the results of a recent fact-check investigation. A popular hoax article or piece of misinformation content is displayed for the viewer while the programme host delivers the fact check report.
Watch a Semenit Melawan Hoaks (A Minute Against Hoax) segment discussing misinformation about the Supreme Court decision requiring the Indonesian Government to provide Halal COVID-19 vaccines via this link: facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=277224877838823
Explanatory videos delivered by experts
The team also experimented with short-form explanatory videos. These informative videos, delivered by trusted experts, debunk common COVID-19 myths. One area of focus was vaccination —a subject of much misunderstanding.
When possible, the explanatory videos were presented by younger experts, including a data specialist. These younger professional sources better resonated with the young adult audience, helping them make an informed decision about vaccines.
These videos were listed in the “explanatory” playlist on Liputan6.com’s Facebook Page.
Watch an explanatory video via this link: Liputan6.com/cek-fakta/read/4881924/video-benarkah-vaksinasi-covid-19-mencegah-risiko-berat-dari-omicron]
A fact-check legacy
“The pandemic has presented a unique fact-check moment for our team,” said Krisnadefa “We wanted to share fact-checking tools and methods with Indonesian people. We have low digital literacy, and Indonesians need to learn to verify information.
“It’s been difficult to navigate, but this COVID-19 content by Liputan6.com is a unique historical record of the pandemic. Our work invites public participation, we hope everyone will be a fact checker and help debunk misconceptions.”
For more information about how fact-checkers work with Meta to reduce the spread of viral misinformation, visit FB.me/Third-Party-Fact-Checking.
Meta’s third-party fact-checking program
WHAT PUBLISHERS NEED TO KNOW
We’re committed to fighting the spread of misinformation on our platforms, but we also believe it’s critical to enable expression, debate and voice. We are transparent with publishers when their content is fact- checked, and have an appeals process in place for publishers who wish to issue a correction or dispute a rating with a fact-checker.
How are publishers notified when their content is rated?
Meta sends notifications to Page admins if their content is rated False, Altered, Partly False or Missing Context. If you are a Page admin, you can also access the Page Quality Tab to see recent fact-checks including the date, rating, and fact-check article.
What action does Meta take when a piece of content is fact-checked?
When content is rated False or Altered by fact-checkers, we dramatically reduce its distribution and apply our strongest warning labels. Content rated Partly False includes some factual inaccuracies. As a result, we reduce the distribution of this content, but to a lesser degree than False or Altered. For content that’s Missing Context, we’ll focus on surfacing more information from our fact- checking partners.
When someone tries to share a post that’s been rated by a fact-checker, we’ll show them a pop-up notice so people can decide for themselves what to read, trust, and share. And if someone has shared a story that is later determined by fact- checkers to be false, we notify them that there is additional reporting on that piece of content.
How can publishers issue a correction or dispute a rating?
Publishers may reach out directly to third-party fact-checking organizations if they have corrected the content that was rated, dispute a fact-checker’s rating. These appeals take place independently from Meta.
How do fact-checks impact a Page or domain’s overall distribution?
We take action against Pages and domains that repeatedly share or publish content that is rated False or Altered. Such Pages and domains will see their distribution reduced, will lose their ability to monetize and advertise, and will lose their ability to register as a news Page on Facebook. Over time, Pages and domains can restore their distribution and ability to monetize and advertise if they stop sharing misinformation.
LEARN MORE
Visit fb.me/publisher-fact-checking to learn more about the program including:
• Frequently asked questions for people and publishers
• An interactive global map of where we have fact-checking
• Q&As with our fact-checking partners
• Recent announcements about the program