Misinformation Corrections
When a platform corrects a post containing misinformation, the original version should still be visible along with the accurate version.
How does this mitigate hate?
Studies show that repeating misinformation content beside a corrected version does not lead to stronger misconceptions about the subject but helps educate people on the differences between misinformation and fact. This pattern can help people gain more context about the content.
When to use it?
Platforms that regularly experience posts that contain misinformation content can implement this pattern to promote more transparency and positive discourse.
Including this pattern before the issue arises can encourage users to hold themselves accountable by providing an opportunity to revise and improve the content they post.
How does it work?
Give users the opportunity to flag a piece of content as misinformation and provide links to evidence showing this to be the case (i.e. snopes, factcheck sites etc).
When flagged content is edited by its owner, the previous version should still be available to view. The previous version should be placed behind a warning or caution interstitial.
Advantages
This pattern allows people to gain a more comprehensive perspective about misinformation content. This also builds more transparency and trust between users and the platform.
Disadvantages
Although showing misinformation content alongside to corrected content helps give users more perspective, this can also create more disputes and arguments online. Additionally, keeping harmful misinformation available online can potentially be triggering for individuals.
References
Clayton, K., Blair, S., Busam, J.A. et al. Real Solutions for Fake News? Measuring the Effectiveness of General Warnings and Fact-Check Tags in Reducing Belief in False Stories on Social Media. Polit Behav 42, 1073–1095 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11109-019-09533-0
Donovan, Joan. “How Civil Society Can Combat Misinformation and Hate Speech without Making It Worse.” Medium. Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, October 7, 2020. https://medium.com/political-pandemonium-2020/how-civil-society-can-combat-misinformation-and-hate-speech-without-making-it-worse-887a16b8b9b6.
Ecker, U.K.H., Lewandowsky, S. & Chadwick, M. Can corrections spread misinformation to new audiences? Testing for the elusive familiarity backfire effect. Cogn. Research 5, 41 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-020-00241-6
Kelly, Garrett R, and Shannon Poulsen. “Flagging Facebook Falsehoods: Self-Identified Humor Warnings Outperform Fact Checker and Peer Warnings.” Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication 24 (October 2019): 240–58. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcmc/zmz012.
Kim, Antino, Patricia L Moravec, and Alan R Dennis. “Combating Fake News on Social Media with Source Ratings: The Effects of User and Expert Reputation Ratings.” Journal of Management Information Systems 36 (2019): 931–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2019.1628921.
Punt, Nick. “De-Escalating Social Media.” Nick Punt, July 3, 2020. https://nickpunt.com/blog/deescalating-social-media/.