A Facebook post on the page “Coach Jarret” on March 31 claimed that media organizations Rappler and Vera Files’ fact-checking efforts are comparable to the burning of books by the Nazi regime in Germany.
The post contained a screenshot of the American Experience feature article “Book Burnings in Germany, 1933” side by side with a screenshot of the 2018 news article of Rappler announcing its partnership with Vera Files and Meta to fact-check and review stories on Facebook.
CLAIM:
Rappler and Vera Files’ fact-checking efforts akin to Nazi censorship
RATING:
FALSE
FACTS:
Nazi Germany’s book burning was aimed at solidifying their party’s absolute control over the news media, arts, and information in Germany by enforcing “racist, exclusionary ideology.” Aside from the burning of books, the Nazi Party established the “Party Examining Committee for the Protection of National Socialist Literature” that examined and censored books that it deemed unfit for publication.
This stands in contrast with the partnership of Meta with Rappler and Vera Files that established said groups as third-party fact-checking organizations on Facebook, in an effort to prevent the proliferation of misinformation within the social media platform. Said fact-checking initiatives do not engage nor have the regulatory power to censor reading materials. Similarly, fact-checking initiatives including #FactsFirstPH aim to promote “verified informative content and flag deceptive disinformation within our communities and to make sure that fact-checks reach the broadest audiences possible,” and are not engaged in any practice that infringe on the constitutionally-protected freedom of speech and expression.
WHY IT MATTERS:
Fact-checking is not censorship. Alerting the online audience of the disinformation possibly contained in a particular article or post does not prohibit people from accessing the materials in question, but rather serves as guide for readers and viewers to ensure that they do not fall victim to fake news.
As of writing, the post has gathered 232 reactions, 41 comments, and 23 shares. It is also worth noting that most of the comments from the main post are copy-pasted, automated, or are generated messages about bitcoin investment. -Rome Medina & Neil Dizon
Altermidya Network is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, email info@factsfirst.ph.
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