UNESCO Survey Reveals 62% of Digital Creators Don’t Verify Information Before Sharing
Islamabad:A recent survey by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has revealed that 62% of digital creators worldwide do not verify the information they share on the internet before posting it. This is the first global survey conducted by UNESCO to understand the working process of digital creators.
The survey involved 500 creators from 45 countries and was conducted in collaboration with researchers from Bowling Green State University in the United States. The survey highlights the significant role digital creators, also known as “content creators” in internet terminology, now play in disseminating information worldwide, with their shared content often having a profound impact on audiences.
### **Lack of Fact-Checking: How Do Creators Assess the Accuracy of Information?**
The survey also highlighted that digital creators face challenges in establishing standards for verifying information. Among those surveyed, 42% of creators rely on the number of likes and shares a post receives on social media as a key indicator of its credibility. Additionally, 21% trust content shared by their friends, while 19% assess the credibility of information based on the reputation of the original author.
However, despite these challenges, 73% of creators expressed a desire to learn how to improve their fact-checking skills. Journalists, it was noted, could play an important role in supporting digital creators in this area, although there remains little professional collaboration between the two fields at present. Traditional media continues to be the third most significant source of information for digital creators, who typically prioritize their own experiences and research over media reports.
### **Creators Lacking Knowledge of Rights and Regulations**
The survey also revealed that 59% of digital creators are unaware of their legal rights and international regulations. Only 56% of creators are aware of programs designed for their training, and even fewer, just 13.9%, have participated in such programs. This lack of awareness can expose creators to legal risks and hinder their ability to defend their rights.
Additionally, approximately 32% of creators reported encountering hateful content, but only 20% filed complaints against it.
### **UNESCO Launches Global Training Course for Digital Creators**
To address these issues, UNESCO has launched the world’s first global training course aimed at digital creators. The course, which is being attended by 9,000 participants from 160 countries, is designed to teach creators how to verify information, promote credible content, and identify misinformation.
According to UNESCO, the course will play a crucial role in helping digital creators navigate challenges in the digital world and enhance transparency in global information-sharing practices.
This initiative is a significant step towards improving the quality and reliability of information shared online, empowering digital creators to become more responsible in their content creation while also protecting their rights and interests in the digital space.
